Czech youth teams boycott European Flag Football Championship over Russian teams

Two Czech youth national flag football teams are boycotting the European Championship due to the inclusion of Russian teams, according to the Czech Association of American Football. The sport is set to debut as an official Olympic event in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The tournament will be held in Italy in September, featuring both Under-17 boys and Under-15 mixed-gender categories.

Czechia won bronze medals in the Under-17 category last year. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) justified Russian participation by citing IOC recommendations. However, the Czech association rejected this reasoning. President Radim Kroulík and the majority of domestic clubs believe it is impossible to compete against Russia on the field.

Kroulík consulted with the Ukrainian Federation president, who demanded neutral symbols and no endorsement of military aggression against Ukraine. The IFAF rejected this proposal. Kroulík expressed shame at the rapid rejection of Ukraine by other nations and reiterated his belief in fighting even in hopeless situations, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity over athletic achievements.