Germany's Interior Ministry has called on European soccer's governing body, UEFA, to exclude Belarus from the Euro 2024 competition because of Minsk's support for Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the German weekly Der Spiegel has reported.
"Not only Russia, which is waging a war of aggression in violation of international law, but also Belarus, as a major supporter of the Russian leadership, should be excluded from all international football matches and tournaments," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wrote in a letter addressed to UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin, Der Spiegel reported on September 16.
Unlike other federations, UEFA has only excluded Russia from competitions following the invasion of Ukraine.
Soccer must "live up to its responsible role and show a united stance against this form of human rights abuse," Faeser wrote.
"All those responsible must be deprived of every opportunity to participate in sport, exert influence, or represent themselves in any other way."
Germany will host the Euro 2024 tournament. The draw for the qualifying group stage will take place in Frankfurt on October 9.