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Wednesday 2 March 2022

Ukraine invasion: Russia’s football clubs and international sides suspended by FIFA and UEFA

 Russia will be unable to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar in November.



Russia’s football clubs and international sides have been suspended until further notice by FIFA and UEFA.


The decision by the world and European governing bodies means the Russian national team will be unable to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

The suspension covers all of Russia’s national teams – the women’s side are due to play in UEFA’s Euro 2022 competition in England in July.

In a statement, 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.”

Russia had been due to play its World Cup play-off fixture against Poland on 24 March.

The Polish FA had already said it would refuse to allow its national team to play against Russia following the invasion into Ukraine.

‘Totally unacceptable’ stance

FIFA was criticised on Sunday after a statement that Russia could continue to play matches in neutral venues and only under the name ‘Football Union of Russia’.

Although FIFA had warned the country could be excluded from competitions if the situation in Ukraine did not improve, the statement was widely criticised with the Polish FA saying the stance was “totally unacceptable”.

England’s FA said the national side would not play Russia ”for the foreseeable future” – a view that was backed up by a number of European federations.

Russian soldiers

Protesters chant ‘go home’ to Russian soldiers

Russia hosted the last World Cup in 2018 with the final held in Moscow – a match attended by President Vladimir Putin.

It comes as sporting bodies moved to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.

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