Moscow, Jan 29: Russia's football officials confident they will go to Portugal for Euro 2004 tournament despite Welsh appeal. At a news conference in Moscow on Wednesday (January 28), the head of the Football Union of Russia Vyacheslav Koloskov, said the national football squad intended to take part in next summer's Euro 2004 football championships in Portugal, despite an appeal to UEFA by the Welsh Football Association to overturn their play-off defeat against Russia. "As for Welsh team there is no basis from a legal point of view, there is a simple desire to play in Portugal. We have got all confidential documents today, all (Welsh) complaints with explanation of what is the basis for their appeal (to UEFA) but of course we are preparing our own case on this issue which does not coincide with Welsh Football federation point of view. I am quite sure that we will be playing and even if something happens we will appeal to UEFA executive committee requesting to sort this out, but I do not think we will end up doing this," said Koloskov. The Welsh FA wants last November's play-off defeat against Russia overturned, after the Russian midfielder Igor Titov tested positive for the banned substance Bromantan following the goalless first leg in Moscow on November 15, and then played in Russia's 1-0 win in Cardiff four days later. UEFA is set to consider the Welsh FA appeal on February 3rd. Koloskov said on Wednesday Russia would appeal any UEFA ruling against it.

Bureau Report