Sports Bodies Ban Russian Teams, Athletes
FIFA and UEFA have banned Russian teams from competing in their competitions as the international sports community continues to cut ties with Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.
The governing bodies of world and European football confirmed that all Russian clubs and national teams have been suspended from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. Over the weekend, FIFA had indicated that the Russian national team could continue to play as the ‘Russian Football Union’, with no national flag or national anthem allowed.
The action will mean Russia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier this month against Poland will not take place. Spartak Moscow has been eliminated from the UEFA Europa League with the club’s scheduled round-of-16 tie against RB Leipzig cancelled.
A statement issued by FIFA and UEFA said, “Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents 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.”
The joint statement came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that all international sports federations and sports event organisers should not allow the participation of Russian athletes and officials, as well as those from ally Belarus, in international competitions.
Meanwhile, UEFA has ended its high-profile partnership with energy group Gazprom.
European football’s governing body said that the deal had been curtailed immediately, affecting the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA Euro 2024.
Gazprom has been among the elite level of Champions League official partners since 2012 and was a sponsor at Euro 2020. The firm renewed its deal with UEFA last year to include sponsorship of the Champions League and European Championships until 2024.
German football club Schalke 04 has also cancelled its partnership with Gazprom since Russia’s invasion began last week.
Meanwhile, Alisher Usmanov has had assets frozen by the European Union due to what the organisation described as his “particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin”.
The Russian tycoon reportedly has a £30m first-refusal agreement in place for the naming rights at Everton FC’s new Bramley-Moor Dock stadium. Usmanov sponsors the club’s Finch Farm training complex, and MegaFon, a company of which he is the majority shareholder, sponsors the Everton women’s team.
World Rugby’s executive committee has also slapped sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
Rugby union’s global governing body has suspended both countries from all international and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice.
The Rugby Union of Russia’s membership of World Rugby has also been suspended until further notice.
Image: Shutterstock
