BREAKING: FIFA Suspends Russia From World Cup 2022, International Competition

BREAKING: FIFA Suspends Russia From World Cup 2022, International Competition

FIFA has suspended Russia from the World Cup as the country continues its invasion of Ukraine.

The International Football Association (FIFA) came under fire on Sunday after announcing that Russia could still play a qualification play-off match against Poland at the end of March if they used a different name —

“Football Union of Russia” — and played in a neutral venue with no fans or flags.

FIFA, in conjunction with European football’s governing body UEFA, has changed its stance and suspended all Russian teams from international competition, following intense pressure from Poland, whose Football Association has repeatedly stated its intention to boycott the match, which was followed by refusal from countries across Europe to play Russia.

“Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, 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,” read a joint statement from FIFA and UEFA on Monday.

“The FIFA Council Bureau and the UEFA Executive Committee, respectively, the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters, adopted these decisions today.

“Football is completely united here, and we stand in complete solidarity with all those who have been affected in Ukraine.”

Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly, allowing football to once again serve as a vehicle for people-to-people unity and peace.”

The shift in stance comes after the International Olympic Committee issued recommendations on Monday, including the exclusion of Russian athletes and teams from international competition while the invasion of Ukraine continues. As things stand, Russia will not compete in the European Championships for women this summer.

The Czech Republic and Sweden were the first to join Poland in refusing to face Russia.

The two countries are set to meet in another qualification play-off, with the winner set to face the winner of Poland vs Russia for a spot in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The French Football Federation has also joined the chorus of voices calling for Russia’s expulsion. Following FIFA’s weak stance on Sunday, the Polish FA sent a letter to all European football federations requesting support.

“We demand that the FIFA authorities act immediately in response to the daily brutal violence we witness on the territory of independent Ukraine,” the letter read.

“If FIFA’s Human Rights Policy is more than just words on a piece of paper, now is the time to put it into action by barring the Russian Football Association from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”

We are appealing for solidarity and support for our cause.”

Cezary Kulesza, the president of the Polish Football Association, tweeted shortly after the announcement: “FIFA has suspended Russia!” It was effective to fight for the right case! We have demonstrated that strength lies in unity. We simply did the right thing. Now it’s about assisting Ukraine, which the Polish Football Association will do. #SolidarityWithUkraine.”

The English Football Association announced on Sunday that for the time being, all England teams will refuse to play Russia.

This year’s senior men’s and women’s teams do not have any matches scheduled against Russia.

At least seven other Associations, including the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, had said they would not play Russia before FIFA took a tougher stance.

In comparison to UEFA, FIFA’s approach appeared to be particularly weak.

The European football governing body announced it had stripped St Petersburg of the Champions League final shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion to begin. Cezary Kulesza, the president of the Polish Football Association, tweeted shortly after the announcement: “FIFA has suspended Russia!” It was effective to fight for the right case! We have demonstrated that strength lies in unity. We simply did the right thing. Now it’s about assisting Ukraine, which the Polish Football Association will do. #SolidarityWithUkraine.”

The English Football Association announced on Sunday that for the time being, all England teams will refuse to play Russia.

This year’s senior men’s and women’s teams do not have any matches scheduled against Russia.

At least seven other Associations, including the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, had said they would not play Russia before FIFA took a tougher stance. In comparison to UEFA, FIFA’s approach appeared to be particularly weak.

The European football governing body announced it had stripped St Petersburg of the Champions League final shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion to begin. UEFA’s lawyers have begun the process of terminating a £33.5 million per year sponsorship deal with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy company, as I reported last week. Since then, UEFA has confirmed that its agreement with Gazprom has come to an end.

According to a statement, “UEFA has today decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions.”

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“The decision takes effect immediately and applies to all existing agreements, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions, and UEFA EURO 2024,” according to the statement.