Both FIFA and UEFA have opted to ban Russia
FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russia from competing in international football and Russian club’s from playing in their competitions following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA – football’s global governing body – initially backed away from expelling Russia from the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches and future events, instead announcing that they would be required to complete their matches without their anthem, flag and as the Football Union of Russia in neutral territory.
A number of nations insisted that they would refuse to play against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine – including England, Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden – and several of them were quick to reiterate that, regardless of the name Russia were competing under, they would not compete against them in any format.
And following intense backlash from several nations and organisations around the world, both FIFA and UEFA have made the decision to ban Russia from competing in the sport altogether.
Breaking: FIFA and UEFA have now confirmed Russia suspended from international football
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 28, 2022
FIFA released a statement announcing that it and UEFA had suspended the Russian national team from competition, as well as club sides in Russia.
It read: “Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which decisions envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
It comes after the International Olympic Committee asked all sports to prevent athletes or officials from Russia and Belarus participating in any organised international competitions.
The IOC stated that wherever this was not possible, potentially due to organisational or legal reasons, such athletes should be classed as neutrals and not compete under the name Russia or Belarus.
Additionally, the IOC withdrew the Olympic order from Vladimir Putin “considering the extremely grave violation of the Olympic Truce and other violations of the Olympic Charter by the Russian government in the past”.
Russia were set to face Poland then either the Czech Republic or Sweden if they had won in the upcoming World Cup 2022 play-offs, which are scheduled to be played in March.
Related links:
- Roman Abramovich is assisting with Ukraine-Russia talks in Belarus
- FIFA announce Russia will play as RFU in World Cup qualifying
- English FA announce they won’t play against Russia for ‘foreseeable future’
