BASEL
UEFA banned Crimean clubs on Thursday from playing in competitions under the Russian Football Union as of Jan. 1, 2015.
"The Russian Football Union may not organize any football competitions in Crimea without the consent of UEFA and the Football Federation of Ukraine," UEFA said in a statement after its executive committee meeting in Nyon, Switzerland.
The committee has also decided to ban Crimean clubs from playing in competitions organized by the Russian Football Union starting from the New Year, UEFA said.
UEFA said it considered "the region as a 'special zone' for football purposes until further notice."
The Russian annexation of Crimea has not been recognized by UEFA.
www.aa.com.tr/en
