Moscow World Cup. Archive (Photo: Shatterstock)
Sporting sanctions continue: The World Football Association is expected to suspend the Russian national team until further notice, following the widespread boycott against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine. If the suspension is implemented, it means that the Russian team will not play in the World Cup to be held in November, and the women’s team will be removed from the Euro tournament in the summer.
In recent days, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have announced that they will not play Russia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. The practical implication is that otherwise FIFA will prevent this decision, Russia will not be able to play in the World Cup. Poland, then the Czech Republic or Sweden.
“The teams in the Czech Football Association have agreed that it is impossible to play against the Russian team in the current situation, not even on a neutral pitch,” the association said in a statement. “We all want the war to end as soon as possible.”
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and express our solidarity with those affected by what is happening in Ukraine,” the statement said. “It was unanimously decided not to hold international games in Russia.”
In addition to boycotts against the national team, Russia is also facing sanctions in club football – when UEFA chose to move the Champions League final that was supposed to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia. Instead, the final will take place on May 28 at the Stade de France in Paris.
The official UEFA announcement also said that all Russian and Ukrainian teams playing in the Champions League or Europa League will be required to play their home games in neutral pitches outside their countries at least until the end of the season. March 17, will have to find another venue for the game outside of Russia.It is also said that the games of the Russian and Ukrainian national teams will be moved to other stadiums until further notice.
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