NYON, Switzerland — UEFA made two moves toward partially reintegrating Russia into European soccer on Tuesday despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The European soccer governing body decided to try reintroducing Russian under-17 teams into its competitions this season. That’s an easing of a blanket ban on national and club teams from international play imposed within days of the Russian invasion starting in February 2022.

UEFA said it was “aware that children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults and is firmly convinced that football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope.”

The UEFA executive committee decision was announced during a Women’s Nations League game in Armenia that was the first European game handled by Russian match officials during the war.

Russian referees were not specifically banned by UEFA from its games but none were chosen until Vera Opeykina and three assistants were picked this month for the Armenia-Kazakhstan game. Kazkahstan won 2-1 in Armavir.

Travel issues around Europe for Russian citizens — facing difficulties on visas and with limited flight options — have been a factor in UEFA not appointing referees, and it was not immediately clear Tuesday where Russian youth teams could now play.

UEFA said it would now try to draft rules for including, and adding, Russian youth national teams for boys and girls — even if competitions draws already were made.

“It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football,” UEFA said, adding all games involving Russian teams “shall be played without the country flag, anthem, national playing kit and not on the Russian territory.”

“At the same time, the executive committee reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s illegal war and confirmed that the suspension of all other teams of Russia (clubs and national teams) will remain in force until the end of the conflict in Ukraine,” UEFA said.

UEFA last year also terminated a long-time Champions League sponsorship deal with Russia state energy firm Gazprom. The 2022 Champions League final also was moved from the Gazprom-owned stadium in St. Petersburg to Paris at three months’ notice.

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The Milwaukee Bucks were the No. 1 seed in the 2022-23 NBA season.

Sure, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in five games against the Miami Heat, but it doesn’t take away the fact that the Bucks are still one of the best teams in the league.

Outside the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday is an integral part of the Bucks roster.

Speaking of Holiday, the 33-year-old recently shared his retirement plans, via NBACentral on Twitter.

“I don’t want to play for any other team,” Holiday said.

Jrue Holiday says he wants to retire a Milwaukee Buck

“I don’t want to play for any other team. I think we have a chance to continue to do great things as the Bucks team and organization so I want to be in Milwaukee.”

(Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) pic.twitter.com/T9OFUf7neU

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2023

Holiday says he wants to spend his entire career with the Bucks.

A crucial reason behind his decision is the fact that he believes the current Bucks team can still achieve great things in the NBA.

Holiday joined the Bucks ahead of the 2020-21 season, and the Bucks ended up being NBA champions that very season.

Moreover, Holiday is aging like fine wine.

In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

Holiday was named an NBA All-Star as well, his second career selection.

On top of being a reliable scorer and playmaker, his defense is his strongest suit.

The Bucks need a defensive anchor like him on the roster to lock down the best scorers on opposing teams.

All things considered, Holiday remains a key figure in the Bucks organization, and there’s a very good chance that he will spend the remainder of his career with the team.

Holiday signed a four-year, $134.9 million contract in 2021 and can remain with the Bucks until the summer of 2025 if he opts into his player option for the final year of his deal.

The post Bucks Star Reveals His Retirement Plans appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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The summer is winding down for Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat and he is using the remainder of his time staying competitive.

No, he’s not being competitive on the basketball court.

Instead, a video released by Butler on Instagram, and shared by ClutchPoints on Twitter, shows Butler playing some intense games of dominoes with others in London.

Throughout the video, Butler and his buddies are seen to be laughing, enthusiastically winning (and losing), and generally having a good time.

Jimmy Butler played an INTENSE game of dominoes in London

(via @JimmyButler / IG)pic.twitter.com/yW7jhycwZ8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2023

Butler has had a very busy summer.

He sat out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup but did enjoy a lot of other sports.

Over the last few years, Butler has become a very big tennis fan and he was globe-trotting to catch some major games throughout the summer.

But he has remained relatively low-key aside from a few public outings.

Of course, he has been preparing for the new season in private, which is very important.

He was a key part of the Heat’s roster last season and his leadership was one of the reasons why they got so far in the postseason.

Now the Heat are hoping to have a similar season in 2023-24.

However, there is one massive question mark floating above that team: Will Damian Lillard be a part of it?

Lillard wants to play for the Heat and the team would be very happy to welcome him.

But as training camp quickly approaches, it sounds like a deal between the Portland Trail Blazers and Heat might not happen.

If that is the case, Butler will remain the team’s leader when the season starts in October.

It’s a good thing Butler is enjoying his summer and relaxing – he is going to need it.

The post Video Shows Jimmy Butler Engaged In Intense Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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