FIFA and UEFA have made the decision to ban all Russian football teams, both national representatives or clubs, from participation in the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Whilst such teams are also suspended from both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice, the announcement was adopted by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA.
A statement read: “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.”
The news follows on from FIFA’s declaration that no international competitions are to be held in the territory of Russia, with ‘home’ matches being played on neutral territory and without spectators.
The European governing body revealed that it is taking immediate first measures, in line with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Also, member associations representing Russia are now to participate in any competition under the name Football Union of Russia (RFU) and not Russia, whilst neither the country’s flag or national anthem will be used in matches where teams from the RFU participate.
This week, UEFA also stopped any advertisements from Russian energy company, Gazprom, during the next round of Champions League matches, as the partnership looks to come to an end.
