Russia responds harshly to Fifa and Uefa after being expelled from the World Cup

Putin after meeting with the Russian interior minister. (File Image)

Photo:

EFE/EPA/ALEXEI NIKOLSKY

Putin after meeting with Russian interior minister. (File Image)

The Russian Federation said the move is ‘discriminatory’ and goes against ‘sporting spirit’.

After Fifa and Uefa decided to expel Russia from the World Cup, the Russian soccer federation issued its statement with a harsh response.

(In context: It’s official: Fifa and Uefa expel Russia and all its teams from the World Cup and all tournaments).

In their letter, the Russian football authorities brand the decision as “discriminatory”. In addition, they announced that they could challenge the decision in international instances.

The Russian pronouncement

“The Russian Football Federation categorically disagrees with the decision of Fifa and Uefa to suspend all Russian teams from participating in international matches indefinitely”reported the highest authority of Russian football.

“We believe that this decision is contrary to the rules and principles of international competition, as well as the spirit of sportsmanship. It is clearly discriminatory in nature and harms a large number of athletescoaches, employees of clubs and national teams and, most importantly, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests should be protected by international sports organizations in the first place.”

“Such actions are dividing the global sporting community, which has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and independence from politics. We reserve the right to challenge FIFA and UEFA’s decision in accordance with sporting law. international,” the letter concluded.

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