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The International Football Federation (Fifa) and the European Confederation (Uefa) announced the “suspension” of Russia from their competitions on February 28, 2022, following the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
The International Football Federation has tightened its sanctions against Russia, only 24 hours after issuing a first series of measures. Measures following military intervention in Ukraine.
This time, the Russian national teams, as well as the clubs of this country, will no longer be able to compete in FIFA competitions, nor those of the European confederation (Uefa) for that matter, until further notice. ” FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, will be suspended from participating in FIFA competitions and UEFA until further notice “, indicates an attached press release.
No Men’s World Cup or Women’s Euro for Russia
Concretely, the men’s selection should not face Poland on March 24, in the second round of European qualifying for the 2022 World Cup (November 21 to December 18 in Qatar). The women’s selection should be deprived of the European Nations Championship (July 6 to 31 in England) during which it was to face Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Closer, Spartak Moscow will not be able to challenge RB Leipzig on March 10 and 17 in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The pressure was growing on FIFA and Uefa. Several countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden) have announced their refusal to face Russian teams, including on neutral ground. The 2022 European Champions League final had already relocated from Saint-Petersburg to Saint-Denis (France).
Uefa has also broken with immediate effect » its partnership with the Russian giant Gazprom, one of its main sponsors since 2012. The contract was estimated at 40 million euros per year according to specialized media, and covered the Champions League, international competitions organized by the Uefa as well as Euro 2024 which will take place in Germany.
The strong recommendations of the IOC
The two institutions ultimately followed the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). On Monday 28 February, the IOC Executive Board recommended “ International Sports Federations and organizers of sports events not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions ».
Three days after having already announced a series of measures, the IOC has further decided to “ withdraw the Olympic Order from all persons who currently hold an important position in the government of the Russian Federation ”, including the head of state Vladimir Putin.
