If our European allies really want to communicate to Russia that its aggression in Ukraine will not be tolerated, an easy place to start is the sporting world. Russia must understand that it cannot participate in international sporting events while occupying a foreign country.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson seems to get this. “It’s absolutely vital in this critical moment that President Putin understands that what he is doing is going to be a disaster for Russia,” Johnson told the House of Commons Tuesday. “A Russia that is more isolated, a Russia that has pariah status – no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.”
Apparently, UEFA, the governing body of Europe’s top club teams, is “almost certain” to pull this year’s UEFA Champions League final from St. Petersburg, where it is set to be played in Gazprom Stadium this May. This would be the equivalent of pulling a Super Bowl from an American city.
But even this is not enough. This Thursday, St. Petersburg’s top club team, FC Zenit, is set to play the second leg of its Europa League Round 16 matchup with Spain’s Real Betis. UEFA should cancel that game as well, giving Real Betis a 3-0 forfeit win, eliminating FC Zenit from Europa League competition.
All Russian teams, in every sport, should also be banned from European play.
If Europe doesn’t have the will to stop playing athletic games with Russia, Russia will keep playing its own games with other countries’ sovereignty.
