1. FC Köln ask for exclusion of Belarusian clubs

In the upcoming play-offs for the UEFA Europa Conference League Group Stage, there is a chance that 1. FC Köln could face a Belarusian club. FC BATE Borisov, FC Gomel, FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk and FC Dinamo Minsk are still in the competition. With a view over the political situation and the support for Russia from the Belarusian government in the invasion of Ukraine, 1. FC Köln are asking UEFA to take decisive action and to remove the teams from the competition.

1. FC Köln stands for liberality, diversity and peaceful coexistence with one another. Therefore, the Board of Directors and the Managing Directors strongly condemn the openly communicated closeness of the Belarusian government to Russia as well as the behaviour associated with the war in Ukraine. The huge support of the Russian invasion in Ukraine through Belarus does not just go against the values of 1. FC Köln, but against the entire sport.

For this reason, 1. FC Köln have addressed UEFA and President Aleksander Čeferin in a letter which asks the association to follow the recommendation of the IOC and to remove the teams from Belarus from the UEFA competitions, as was the case with Russian clubs. The full letter can be found here. FC has also spoken personally with the head of the DFB about this position and is in contact with other clubs aiming to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, to gain support within these circles.

FC members are also being called upon to make it clear to UEFA that Belarusian clubs should be removed. The FC Board of Directors would ask for the letter to be shared throughout social media. FC members are also welcomed to send a personal appeal to UEFA. Messages can be sent via email to vorstand(at)fc-koeln.de and will then be sent to UEFA.