In response to mounting pressure from the international community, FIFA will no longer allow Russian teams to compete in its soccer competitions.
FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations suspended Russian participation until further notice and said both organizations stand in “solidarity” with the people of Ukraine. Russia was set to play Poland on March 24 in a World Cup qualifying playoff semifinal.
FIFA ALLOWS RUSSIAN TEAM TO COMPETE, RESTRICTS DISPLAY OF FLAG AND ANTHEM
“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,” FIFA and UEFA said in a joint statement. “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.”
FIFA’s and UEFA’s action followed a recommendation Monday from the International Olympic Committee calling for major sports events to ban Russian and Belarusian participation as punishment for belligerence in Ukraine. The UEFA will also end its sponsorship deal with Gazprom, a Russian state-owned energy company.
On Sunday, FIFA initially attempted to soft-pedal action against Russia, restricting its flag and anthem from being displayed during FIFA games but allowing its teams to compete. This drew criticism, including from the Polish Football Association president, Cezary Kulesza, who said Poland would not participate in games with Russia.
Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is.
— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) February 27, 2022
The World Cup will take place in Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18. In addition to Russia’s men’s team likely being barred from its game with Poland, Russia’s women’s team will also be barred from competing in the European Championships that start in July. FIFA and UEFA said their decision to ban Russia came from the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee.
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Other major sports organizations are also reportedly weighing punitive measures against Russia, including the International Ice Hockey Federation, which held a meeting Monday to discuss the future of Russia’s participation in its events.
Russia has faced a barrage of sanctions from Western nations in response to its actions in Ukraine. The ruble plunged about 30% on Monday, bringing its value down to less than one cent. Many nations such as the U.S., Poland, and Finland have given lethal support to Ukraine as the countries seek to thwart Russia’s apparent attempts to overthrow its government.
