Football Updates: Russia has been kicked out of the World Cup and has been suspended from all international events “until further notice,” according to a joint statement released by FIFA and UEFA on Monday. European football’s governing body has also severed its association with Russian energy company Gazprom.
The men’s squad was scheduled to compete in the play-offs for the World Cup in Qatar later this year in March, while the women’s team was set to compete in the European Championship in England in July.
Russian clubs competing in European events are also affected by the announcement.
“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,” read the joint statement from the governing bodies of world and European football.
FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions
▶️ https://t.co/Q2htzW3W9z pic.twitter.com/LFo1bUtqmm
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 28, 2022
On March 24, the Russian men’s team was set to meet Poland in a World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final, and on March 29, they might have faced Sweden or the Czech Republic for a spot in the finals in Qatar later this year.
Their three probable opponents, on the other hand, have stated that they will boycott the matches.
On Sunday, FIFA announced that Russian teams would be allowed to continue playing under the name of the Football Union of Russia, with home games taking place on neutral ground and behind closed doors, and the Russian flag and anthem being prohibited.
However, Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza described the measures as “absolutely unacceptable,” adding that Poland would not play Russia in the World Cup play-off “no matter what the team’s name is.”
FIFA reversed its mind on Monday, excluding Russia from the sport’s grand finale.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” the statement added.
“Both presidents (Gianni Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin) 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.”
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