UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has denied criticism of the decision not to exclude Belarus, unlike Russia, from qualifying for Euro 2024 in Germany.
"It's a bit populist to say, 'Throw everyone out!'
We currently see no reason to do that," he said in an interview with "Sport Bild".
“If things change, we will certainly react.
Politicians should respect our decision-making authority.
Nor do we preach to politicians and governments what to do.”
Most recently, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) wrote to UEFA and, according to the news magazine Der Spiegel, demanded that “not only Russia, which is waging a war of aggression that violates international law, but also Belarus, as a key supporter of the Russian leadership of all international football matches and tournaments should be excluded”.
Belarus are allowed to take part in UEFA competitions but have to host their home games outside of the country and without spectators.
In Sunday's European Championship qualifier, Belarus was drawn into Group I with Andorra, Israel, Kosovo, Romania and Switzerland.