View of the Sochi circuit, which was going to host the Russian GP. /
World Cup 2022
“We are seeing the development of the situation in Ukraine with sadness and shock,” acknowledges the highest motoring body, after the drivers’ rejection to compete in ex-Soviet territory
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) canceled this Friday the Formula 1 Russian GP, which was scheduled to take place on September 25 in Sochi, as a result of the war invasion in Ukraine. Seven months before the race has already been permanently suspended, the highest body has also decided to punish Russia and deprive it of the grand prize that it was going to host for the 2022 World Cup, recalling that “Formula 1 visits cities around the world with a positive vision of bringing people together, bringing all nations together.”
“It is impossible to hold a grand prix in Russia under the current circumstances. We are watching the development of the situation in Ukraine with sadness and shock, and with the hope of a quick and peaceful resolution of the current situation,” the FIA underlined through a statement, the day after several drivers, including the German Sebastian Vettel and the Dutch Max Verstappen, current world champion, expressed their refusal to participate in the Russian GP after the attack on Ukraine.
On Thursday night, F1, the FIA and the teams met to discuss the measures to be taken against Russia and the decision was as expected, after a united position was not clear during the first hours.
“I must not go. It is a mistake to run there and I feel sorry for the innocents who are going to lose their lives for stupid reasons and strange and crazy leadership,” Vettel said on Thursday, referring to Vladimir Putin. Fernando Alonso was somewhat more lax in his opinion, although he hinted that he did not want to go to Russia either. “It will be an F1 decision. Perhaps we drivers have another opinion, but F1 will do its best, “said the two-time world champion.
The Euroleague, outside of Russia
For its part, the Euroleague basketball, in addition to finally officially postponing the CSKA Moscow-Barcelona match scheduled for Sunday, also decided this Friday to move all the matches of the highest continental competition in which Russian teams participate against rivals foreigners to other venues, including the duel between the champion of the former Soviet country and Real Madrid, which should be played on March 4. Thus, both Barça and Madrid, the first two classified in the Euroleague, will face CSKA on neutral ground, after the Euroleague, after meeting this Friday with the 18 clubs in the competition, agreed that, for the time being, no more matches will be played on Russian territory, except for Zenit-Unics Kazan and Zenit-CSKA, on March 22 and April 1, respectively. Baskonia will also face Zenit Saint Petersburg, in a match that was postponed on Thursday, in a city and a date yet to be determined.
“The decisions have been made to protect the integrity of the competition, allowing teams to continue defending their right to compete on the field, isolating the sport from any political action,” the Euroleague announced, stressing that its responsibility is “to protect the integrity of the players, coaches, fans and staff without running the slightest risk. “Euroleague Basketball will continue to monitor the situation, including the regulations imposed by national and international authorities, and will adopt the necessary changes to previous decisions if necessary,” added the organization of the continental top competition, whose Russian representatives are CSKA, the Zenit and Unics Kazan.
The Euroleague also condemned this Friday “strongly, any act of war such as those that are unfortunately occurring in Ukraine.” “The clubs remain united in their purpose to use the power of basketball to unite communities. Euroleague Basketball embraces and celebrates diversity, which is widely present in its communities and at the core of all teams. This diversity is understood to be deeply linked to the value of respect, promoting the free expression of different opinions. Violence of any kind is contrary to such values and is not tolerated or accepted as a way to defend anyone’s opinion or position, “concluded the Euroleague.
