[Sports Road News]FIFA and UEFA announced on Monday (28th) that the Russian national team and all Russian clubs will be banned from participating in all competitions under the two associations, which means that Russia will miss Qatar at the end of the year. In the World Cup, Spartak Moscow was also immediately eliminated in the Europa League round of 16. The Russian Football Federation issued a statement saying that the decision violated the spirit of sports and divided the sports world, and reserves the right to challenge it in accordance with international sports law. This is the first time that a sports organization has punished Russian athletes and national teams in response to the Russian-Ukrainian war.
FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement banning the participation of Russia and Russian clubs “until further notice”, adding that “football is here in solidarity with the Ukrainians affected, and the presidents of both associations hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly. , so that football can once again be a vehicle for people’s unity and peace.” UEFA also announces suspension of partnership with Russian energy giantSponsorship of Gazprom.
The suspension decision made the Russian national team, who had played in the European play-offs of the World Cup in late March and faced Poland, immediately out, and the women’s national team was also banned from playing in the women’s European Cup in the summer. Sparta Moscow was immediately eliminated in the Europa League round of 16, and their opponent RB Leipzig automatically advanced to the quarter-finals.
The Russian Football Association immediately issued a statement expressing its strong disagreement with the decision of FIFA and UEFA, saying that the decision violated the values, principles and sportsmanship of international competitions. The Russian Football Federation believes that the decision is extremely discriminatory and hurts a large number of players, coaches, club staff and fans. The statement continued that such actions are dividing the international sports community, which has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and independence from politics, reserving the right to challenge decisions in accordance with international sports law. Sparta Moscow said the decision upset the club and wiped out the team’s efforts for reasons unrelated to sports, “We disagree, but are forced to obey. We look forward to the peace that everyone needs as soon as possible. “
FIFA announced on Sunday (27th) that Russia can only play in the name of the Russian Football Federation, not to display the national flag and play the national anthem, and to play games behind closed doors in neutral positions. However, the decision immediately attracted criticism from various countries. Among them, Poland, which had already stated that it refused to play against Russia, reiterated its position, describing the decision as “unacceptable”. The FAs of the Czech Republic, Sweden, England, Ireland and Scotland also pointed out that they would boycott the match against Russia.
This article is by “Sportsroad“Originally published in “[Ukraine Crisis]FIFA and UEFA ban Russian national team and football club from participating in Russian Football Association: against sportsmanship」