UEFA wants to keep Russian flags out of stadium for Ukraine's opening game at Euro

Munich, Germany: UEFA wants to keep Russian flags out of the stadium when Ukraine plays its first European Championship game Monday after some were di...

Munich, Germany: UEFA wants to keep Russian flags out of the stadium when Ukraine plays its first European Championship game Monday after some were displayed in the stands at other matches.

UEFA said security staff will try to intercept and remove Russian flags from being displayed at the Munich stadium where Ukraine plays Romania on Monday afternoon in the Euro 2024 group stage.

Russian teams were banned by UEFA from international competitions within days of the full military invasion of Ukraine starting in February 2022.

Still, Russian citizens could try to buy tickets for Euro 2024 games. The national flag of white, red and blue horizontal bands has been displayed at some of the first group-stage matches, including in Munich last Friday next to Scotland flags at the opening game against Germany.

Several Russian flags also were seen among Serbia fans during their team's game against England on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen. Serbia is one of Russia’s strongest traditional allies in Europe.