Ukraine invasion: Russia kicked out of World Cup by Fifa, other sporting bodies ban country’s athletes, teams
- International Olympic Committee recommends ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes
- Uefa bans Russian clubs from European competition, ends sponsorship deal with Gazprom
Fifa and Uefa have suspended Russia’s national teams and clubs from international football, while sporting bodies around the world moved to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events in protest over the war in Ukraine.
The move makes it likely that Russia will be excluded from this year’s World Cup and the women’s Euro 2020 tournament.
“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,” Uefa said in a statement.
In a statement the Russian Football Federation said it “categorically disagreed” with the decision and added that it was contrary to the “spirit of sports”.
Uefa also confirmed RB Leipzig had been given a walkover into the Europa League quarter-finals after their last-16 match with Spartak Moscow was called off. The governing body also cancelled its sponsorship deal with Russian energy company Gazprom.
IOC RECOMMENDS RUSSIA, BELARUS BAN
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) executive board recommended sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competing in events.