The Russian Football Union announced on Wednesday that a friendly match between Russia and Serbia will take place on March 21 in the capital Moscow.
This friendly match is Russia’s first against a European team since Russian clubs and national teams were banned from participating in international competitions two years ago due to the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
Russia has good relations with Serbia, which has refused to join the Western camp in imposing sanctions on Moscow.
“We are looking forward to the friendly meeting with our brothers,” the Russian Football Union said on its Telegram channel.
The Russian national team has been limited to playing friendly matches against non-European teams, such as Iran, Iraq, Cuba, and Mali.
Russia considered leaving the European Union and joining the Asian Football Confederation, but the controversy surrounding this issue has ended.
The Russian Football Union reached an agreement on the Serbia friendly in December last year, amid protests from Ukraine and without official opposition from the International Football Federation (FIFA). Approval was also obtained from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
