UEFA rules to separate Russia, Kosovo in competition draws

UEFA says teams from Kosovo and Russia will no longer be drawn to play each other due to security risks.

The ruling announced Friday could affect the 2020 European Championship draw on Nov. 30.

Russia does not formally recognize Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.

Ahead of the Euro 2020 draw, UEFA already said Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina cannot be in the same group as Kosovo if the teams qualify.

Kosovo is in contention to advance from a qualifying group that includes England, and has a second option through playoffs next March.

Russia already qualified for Euro 2020, and will host four games in St. Petersburg.

Russian teams have also been separated from Ukrainian teams in UEFA draws since annexing the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014.

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