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The world sports authorities punished Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in a forceful manner, separating clubs, national teams and athletes from top-level competitions such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In the world of motorsports and basketball, measures were also taken against Russian teams and players.
In a joint action, FIFA and the EUFA announced this Monday, February 28, that all Russian clubs and teams are suspended from any international competition “until further notice”, due to the Russian attacks in Ukraine.
The measure was taken by the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions in these urgent matters: the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive.
“Football is fully united and in full solidarity with all the affected people in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can once again be a vector of unity and peace between people,” they assured. both organizations in release.
An accumulation of sanctions had already been announced by FIFA on Sunday, February 27, in which it was specified that Russia should compete in neutral venues, behind closed doors, without anthem or flag.
But the definitive suspension of the Russian teams came later with the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this Monday, February 28, with which it urged the federations and the organizers of competitions not to “invite or allow the participation of athletes or Russian or Belarusian leaders.”
FIFA and UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions.
Full statement: ⬇️
— UEFA (@UEFA) February 28, 2022
The response from the Russian Football Union (RFU) was almost immediate. Through a statement, he pointed out that excluding Russian teams from international competitions is “explicitly discriminatory” and “affects a huge number of players, coaches and technicians.”
“The Russian Football Union is categorically opposed to the decision by FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Russian teams from international competition until further notice. We believe that this decision contravenes all the rules and principles that govern international competitions and goes against the ethics of sportsmanship and fair play, ”he added in the press release.
Russia out of Qatar 2022?
Of the 13 places that Europe has for the World Cup, 10 teams have already qualified: Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Croatia, England and Germany.
According to FIFA, the three remaining places are fought between 12 teams in direct elimination matches, scheduled between March 24 and 29.
The Russian national team was due to face Poland on March 24, in the qualifying semifinal, but if FIFA’s suspension is maintained until then, Russia will not be able to reach a place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Spartak Moscow pulls out of the Europa League
With the resounding decision of the international football organizations, Spartak Moscow is excluded from the European League and, therefore, directly cancels the round of 16 tie that this team had against Leipzig scheduled for March 10 and 17. Something that catapults the German team to the quarterfinals.
OFFICIAL!! FIFA and UEFA have decided to suspend Russian teams, be they clubs or national teams, from all FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. Spartak Moscow is out of the Europa League. And Russia will not have options to play the Qatar 2022 World Cup playoff. pic.twitter.com/5pqYstCZ6d
– Undefeated (@InvictosSomos) February 28, 2022
“The decision of FIFA and UEFA has upset us, although it was expected. Unfortunately, our team’s efforts in this Europa League competition are ruined for reasons as far removed from sport as possible,” the Russian club said. , adding that “Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures unite people from dozens of different countries, and even in the most difficult moments of the sport, from the point of view of the club, they should build bridges, not burn them.
Other sports also sanction Russia
In basketball, the Euroleague decided, after a meeting of the Executive Board of Shareholders, to follow the actions of FIFA and UEFA and suspended the participation of the Russian teams CSKA Moscow, UNICS Kazan and Zenit Saint Petersburg from Lokomotiv Kuban and the Euroleague .
The sports directors also assured that if they do not see a de-escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, all regular season games against Russian teams will be canceled.
While in the world of motorsport, the FIA called an emergency meeting to “discuss matters related to the current crisis in Ukraine”, and since Sunday the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix had already been announced.
More measures possibly affecting Russian pilots are expected to be unveiled on Tuesday, March 1.
With EFE, AP and local media.