The RFU are preparing to file a lawsuit against FIFA and UEFA
The Russian Football Union (RFU) are preparing to file a lawsuit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA and UEFA.
Any lawsuit filed would be based on the notion that the RFU do not represent the Russian state and should therefore be allowed to play.
Whilst some non-footballing federations believe that the RFU could be successful in their attempts, UEFA remain confident that the ban will not be overturned.
Despite this, there are concerns from within FIFA and UEFA that should the ban be revoked, other teams will refuse to play.
[2/2] However, Uefa fairly confident due to specific wording re games played in “spirit of peace” (below)
Could give them and Fifa a headache if ban overturned, as teams may refuse to play pic.twitter.com/pvB8vK6wkS
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 3, 2022
Both football governing bodies made the decision to ban the Russian national team and all of its domestic teams from competing in their competitions.
As a result, Russia were automatically knocked out of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers play-off semi-final, with Poland receiving a bye to the next stage.
Meanwhile domestic side Spartak Moscow were also excluded from this season’s Europa League knockout stages.
A joint statement from FIFA and UEFA said: “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.”
FIFA had originally suggested that Russia would be allowed to compete under a neutral name and flag, as well as have no national anthem played during their games, but after facing severe backlash, reversed their decision.
UEFA also announced on Thursday that teams from Belarus will now have to play at a neutral venue when participating in their competitions.
Related links:
- FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian teams from football
- Football’s response to Russia: The clubs and organisations cutting ties over Ukraine invasion
- IPC reverse decision to allow Russia and Belarus to compete at Winter Paralympics
