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Russian Football Union outlines plan of action to grow sport in country

According to RFU Secretary General Maxim Mitrofanov, this concerns state authorities, major corporations and big businesses

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The Russian Football Union (RFU) will continue in 2026 to promote football at the national level to Russia’s state authorities, state corporations and major businesses, RFU Secretary General Maxim Mitrofanov said in an interview with TASS on Friday.

"We have set ourselves the goal of promoting football to real decision-makers in the country," Mitrofanov said. "In the first place, this concerns state authorities, major corporations and big businesses."

"Our [RFU] participation is important in such events as 'Russia: Country of Sports' and the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum [SPIEF]," he continued. "We attend such forums not just for the sake of being there."

"We are increasing awareness to the sport of football, inking agreements and showing that sports and football in particular are the proper tool for the development of all initiatives. We plan to carry on with these initiatives," Mitrofanov added.

Russia’s football ban

The world’s governing football body, FIFA, announced on February 28, 2022, that the Russian national team and all professional clubs representing the country were barred from participating in FIFA tournaments.

In turn, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) made a similar decision regarding the Russian national football team’s participation in UEFA tournaments.

Both FIFA and UEFA cited Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as grounds for their respective bans on Russian teams’ participation in competitions.

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Liberation of Kosovtsevo brings area of over 23 sq km under control — security forces

Guardsmen of the 37th Brigade of the 36th Army of the Battlegroup East advanced 4 km inland and 6 km along the front on the western bank of the Gaichur River

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Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

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US forces conduct strike against IS militants in Nigeria — Trump

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to the Nigerian authorities, stating that he was "grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation"

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Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

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Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

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West uses sanctions to cling to fading dominance — Russian diplomat

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According to Viktor Khrenin, this is evidenced by infrastructure being built in countries neighboring Belarus, the numerous drills and training sessions being conducted, and the modernization of seaports and airfields for the delivery of weapons

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Rodion Miroshnik added that it remains unclear what the first point of Zelensky’s plan, intended to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty, actually means

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According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the decision enters into force on December 26

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

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Politician says impossible to conduct legitimate referendum in Ukraine

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Andrey Klimov believes that even with ongoing Western assistance, Ukraine will not achieve its military objectives

EU twists law of sea by pushing Russian 'shadow fleet' narrative — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that another EU's declaration shows no sign of a serious analysis of the law of the sea or its applications in specific circumstances

Ukraine extends ban on Russian goods imports for year

The prohibited products include meat, fish, coffee, tea, chocolate and other confectionery, baby food, animal feed, alcohol and cigarettes

Bundeswehr should take part in peacekeeping in Ukraine under European flag — EU politician

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Humanitarian aid convoy from Dagestan comes under attack in border area

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The collaboration is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue

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One base housing about 30 militants was uncovered 50 km south of the Auk settlement, they retreated into Chad

Almost all Ukrainian brigade deserts — Russia’s security forces

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Baikonur spaceport, Soyuz-5 carrier rocket ready for first launch — Roscosmos

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FSB catches 18-year-old girl trying to plant bomb on Defense Ministry officer's car

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Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Sweden should apologize for the incident

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Yvan Gil Pinto highly appreciated Russia’ "steadfast support" in preserving a zone of peace in the Caribbean

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Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

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Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

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Sweden better apologize for detaining Russia's Adler vessel — Foreign Ministry

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Ukrainian army pulls forces toward key cities in Donbass — DPR official

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Trump threatens Democrats with 'last Christmas' in light of Epstein case

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