The Finnish Football Association decided to move the Nations League match against Belarus to a neutral territory. The match is scheduled for 29 September. The new venue will be determined later.
“The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not recommend holding the match in Finland. Although it is not a ban, we believe it is important to adhere to Finland’s foreign policy line. We are now starting preparations to organise the match on a neutral pitch. We have also stated that events in world politics in recent years and months have developed rapidly and unpredictably. If there are any significant changes in this matter, we are ready to react quickly,” said Ari Lahti, chairman of the Finnish Football Association.
The Finnish association is already looking for a venue in another country to host the meeting.
Finland was among the countries that boycotted the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy. Those countries made the demarche as Russians and Belarusians were allowed to compete under their national flags.
Finland is backing Ukraine in its defence war against Russia.
The Belarusian national football team, unlike the Russian team, is not excluded from international competitions. However, it is not allowed to play home matches in Belarus, so the national team usually plays in Hungary.
Finland refuses to host the national team of Belarus in the football League of Nations