Russia says its audacious bid to host the European Championships is 'not a joke' despite the country from being banned from international soccer

• Russia has bid to host either Euro 2028 or Euro 2032 despite being banned from international soccer.
• Boris Johnson called the bid "satire" but Russia has insisted it is no joke.

Russia has insisted that its audacious bid to hold the European Championships in either 2028 or 2032 is "not a joke" despite the country being banned from international soccer.

Russia, which was banned indefinitely from competing in international soccer competitions by FIFA and UEFA following its invasion of Ukraine, declared its interest in hosting either Euro 2028 or Euro 2032 on Wednesday.

"The RFU plans submitting bids to host the UEFA European Championships in 2028 and 2032 and this is not a joke," said Russian Football Union (RFU) Executive Board member Rustem Saimanov, according to Inside the Games.

"We will be bidding and I presume that there is an ample amount of time, the situation will change and we will consider all details thoroughly.

"I cannot say that it may happen in 2028, but highly likely in 2032."

UEFA confirmed later Wednesday that Russia, which hosted the 2018 World Cup, had declared its interest in hosting either tournament.

In statement made to ESPN, UEFA added that there are no regulations currently in place to prevent the country from bidding for the competition despite its international ban, but insisted that could change in the future.

"The Bureau of the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee decided on 28 February to suspend all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. However, no suspension of the Football Union of Russia was imposed at that time," read the statement.

"The UEFA Executive Committee will nevertheless remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required – in addition to its already-scheduled meetings of 7 April and 10 May – to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary, including in light of the declaration of interest expressed by the Football Union of Russia for hosting the UEFA EURO."

Turkey has also declared its interest in hosting either Euro 2028 or Euro 2032, while the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have submitted a joint declaration of interest in hosting Euro 2028.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hit out at Russia's bid to host the championships and suggested Ukraine should instead be the host, despite the UK and Ireland's joint bid.

"The idea of Russia holding any idea of football tournament or any kind of cultural event right now is beyond satire," he told Sky News.

"I can't believe that anybody would seriously consider their suggestion and, yes, I think the best thing possible would be for the entire Russian forces to retire forthwith from Ukraine and hand the tournament to them."