Russia banned from World Cup: FIFA and UEFA ban every team from every competition

Read also.The IOC no longer wants Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions

Last week saw violent protests against warring Russia in the stands of several sporting competitions and much support for Ukraine. The International Football Association (FIFA) and the European Football Association (UEFA) realized that they had to take strict measures, because countries such as Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic refused to play surprise matches before the World Cup in Qatar against Russia at the end of March. They received the support of countries such as England, Denmark and the Netherlands. The Belgian Football Association also jumped on the bandwagon. “We condemn the Russian aggression,” she said in a press statement.

Read also.The Belgian Football Association also supports the boycott of Russia: “We condemn Russian aggression”

FIFA and UEFA have reached a common position after joint consultations. Russian teams are immediately banned from any international football competition. This means that Spartak Moscow – the only Russian team left in Europe – will be eliminated from the 1/8 finals of the European League in favor of RB Leipzig. This means that Russia cannot participate in the European Women’s Football Championship in July, and this means that the Russians cannot participate in the World Cup in Qatar in November.

UEFA cancels Gazprom

However, UEFA was in a difficult position. They have had a sponsorship deal with Russian gas producer Gazprom for the Champions League and international matches since 2012, and this contract is estimated at 40 million euros annually. UEFA initially suggested that Russia play its matches on neutral ground without an audience and without an official name or symbols, but this met with a lot of resistance. In the end, UEFA canceled the contract with Gazprom.

It also got a good example of the traditional German club Schalke 04, which Gazprom also dropped as the shirt sponsor. The t-shirts without the company name were sold out in no time. The players’ union FIFPro is asking all foreign players in Russian football to tear up their contracts in this way.

Also in other sports

Therefore, football is taking action, but the rest of the sports world is not standing idly by either. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is calling on all sports federations and event organizers to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. If this is not legally possible, the Russians will be required to act as neutral athletes, without national symbols. Primarily, we’ll take a look at the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games which start on Friday. Later this year, the Volleyball World Cup cannot be held in Russia either. They were eliminated from the Handball World Cup qualifiers…

Read also.The Belgian Football Association also supports the boycott of Russia: “We condemn Russian aggression”

In Russia itself, actions can count on a little understanding. “These penalties are discriminatory,” said the official sporting authorities. “They harm a large number of athletes, coaches, clubs and, above all, millions of Russian and foreign fans.”