A Kazexit from the UEFA - not happen soon, but can't be ignored

If you're surely used to hear about Brexit from the European Union, then yes, there are several varieties, notably Hunexit (Hungary's exit from the EU) and Polexit (Poland's exit from the EU).

Yet there is a looming threat, hidden one but is growing more relevant from time, that the UEFA may have not seen within: the exit of a potential member. This member doesn't gain so much attraction, but it is speculated that at least for the next 10 years, will be crucial to see if this country can make it greater, or just staying the same, or could be worse.

This member is Kazakhstan, which joined UEFA in 2002.

Kazakhstan has a long history of an ambitious project to join the UEFA. It sought to participate in the UEFA in 1996, citing that the Soviet-era helped bring Kazakh players to experience European football. Well, it was partially true, but the development of football in the USSR wasn't equal at all. The two biggest football factories the Soviets built were Ukraine and Russia, where the regime frequently promoting players growing in these mines. There were also players coming to represent the Soviets in some major tournaments that were not from Ukraine and Russia, but mostly they came from South Caucasus or the Baltics.

Central Asia had been historically sidelined by Moscow, despite enormous football resources. Uzbekistan was the third-largest football factory within the USSR, but few of them made names for themselves, the two most famous being Vasilis Hatzipanagis (later settled in Greece) and Peter Odemwingie (representing Nigeria). Constantly forgotten, Central Asia won independence in 1991 with only infrastructures left in Uzbekistan to develop football. No surprise why Uzbekistan sets the standard of football in the region.

The remainders? When the Russians left, they had to start with zero. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan didn't have football facilities to demonstrate. But Kazakhstan has natural resources and a large territory, a clear advantage when looking to its poorer Central Asian sisters. Ultimately, Kazakhstan can rely on exploiting natural resources to pay and build new stadiums, football facilities. In 1996, the Kazakhstan Football Federation made a clear intention that it didn't want to stay in the AFC, it wanted to be European.

Well? Kazakhstan, when it first won independence, took the AFC membership. Subsequently, Kazakhstan began to take part in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifications. The 1998 qualifiers were Kazakhstan's most successful one - it was so close to the big stage before getting trashed by Japan, South Korea, the UAE and its neighbour Uzbekistan. It highlighted Kazakhstan's potential as long as it stayed in the AFC. Yet it rejected staying in the AFC because it considered Asian football too inferior to Kazakhstani standard and bid to join the UEFA.

UEFA had denied Kazakhstan's entry twice, in 1997 and 1999, stating that Kazakhstan's football didn't meet the requirements of the UEFA. But in 2002, it was finally accepted.

Of course, Kazakhstan isn't alone. It's not the only country in Asia that joined the UEFA. Turkey, Israel, Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia and Azerbaijan are also UEFA members despite their proximities with Asia. But what differed Kazakhstan from the rest is huge:

First, some nations like Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Armenia and Georgia all have strong cultural ties with Europe, they're politically involved with Europe for quite a long time. Armenia, Cyprus and Georgia, being of Christian backgrounds, easily share the cake of Europe. While Azerbaijan is fairly secular enough to be considered.

Second, Kazakhstan doesn't have any major international achievements or historical records to state for the country. Turkey and Israel have, though. Both Turkey and Israel are World Cup participants, and Turkish football was introduced quite longer than Kazakhstani one - by the English sailors in the late 19th century. Turkish team has also enjoyed privileges longer and better because of this historical fact. Israel used to be Asian champions, before qualified for the 1970 World Cup, thus it has a place to speak about.

Third, Israel's case is more special, it was boycotted by most Arab countries when it was first an AFC member. Hence it joined the UEFA in 1992. Kazakhstan, by contrast, has no political issues like Israel.

Kazakhstan was disadvantaged right when it joined the UEFA. It is not Christian nor even Europeanised enough. Yet even when it can take Turkey and Israel as examples of not being Christian, then Turkey and Israel are still far more successful than Kazakhstan. After it first took part in the 2006 World Cup qualifying as a UEFA member, Kazakhstan became ridiculed: it finished last with only a draw. Subsequent qualifications didn't show any improvements either, despite it did have tendencies to have shocking wins.

About UEFA competitions outside the Euro and World Cup, probably Kazakhs have more things to feel happy about though: FC Astana was the first team from the country to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, winning four points and finished last (one draw was a famous 0-0 draw to Spanish giant Atlético Madrid). It then made into two consecutive UEFA Europa League, reaching the Round of 32 in the 2017-18 season. Its futsal team is far more successful, qualifying for two Futsal World Cups in 2016 and 2021.

Yet these glories could not hide the dissatisfaction among Kazakh supporters, who think their decision to become a UEFA member was too flawed and miscalculated. From what I experienced on various platforms and private calculations, over 48% of Kazakhstanis approved UEFA membership, but over 47% disagree with joining the UEFA.

A very divisive opinion has been further exaggerated when the country could not change its misfortune. There is no famous Kazakhstani footballer to play in big European leagues except in Russia, mostly in low-key clubs. Kazakhstan's most famous footballer to play abroad happens to be Bauyrzhan Islamkhan, playing for Al-Ain in the UAE (an AFC member).

The current President of the KFF, Adilbek Zhaksybekov, insisted that Kazakhstan would get the reward after joining the UEFA, repeating the same old accusations of AFC being inferior and pathetic quality, but he doesn't seem to pick the cherry on the right time. As Kazakhstan is struggling, some Kazakhs pointed out about rising qualities of Asian football being witnessed in the 2018 World Cup held by neighbour Russia - Japan beat Colombia and eliminated Poland; Iran held Portugal and won Morocco; South Korea didn't progress but not without drowning Germany 2-0 to knock out the Germans from the group phase after 80 years. Considering Colombia, Germany, Morocco, Portugal and Poland being some of the world's strong football nations, they could be seen as a physical blow to a number of Kazakhs.

The rise of football qualities of many Asian teams is becoming a grave threat for Kazakhstan's future within the UEFA: far from seeing Kazakh players broke ranks in big European clubs as an example of leaving AFC being a right choice, they are seeing players from Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia and even neighbouring Uzbekistan making footprints. The country is also being mocked: Asians joked about Kazakhstan because of its forms and its players; Europeans don't respect Kazakhstan and think it is only another bread basket or a waste.

Still, it is hard to see when will Kazakhstan leave the UEFA, especially when the country is about to celebrate twenty years of joining the European football home. As long as the current group of KFF leaders stay intact, they'll keep on sucking money from the UEFA because of its attractiveness. The UEFA just needs only that and done, nothing else. Yet the grotesque way of the KFF is making way for a looming Kazexit football movement. A number of Kazakhs have started to discuss the country's exit from the UEFA, even when the lucrative business is holding them from doing so.

It's a question that only time may tell, but this Kazexit is likely to grow. If Kazakhstan's football achievements do not extend or decline, this will be the signal that UEFA membership may die out. Think of Australia's abandonment of the OFC appears to be the right decision, Kazakhstan's UEFA membership is risking the country to riot against its own adoptive federation.