As Russian troops advance towards Kiev, Russia has to face numerous sanctions taken by the international community, but also those taken by the sports world. Russians are no longer welcome in many fields.
The International Olympic Committee came out of its traditional neutrality on Monday. The IOC recommends banning Russians from sports competitions. A call quickly heard: Russia is excluded from the FIFA World Cup scheduled for the end of the year in Qatar, the Russian women’s team will not participate in the Euro in July. UEFA, the governing body of football in Europe, terminated its contract with one of its Russian sponsors, the giant Gazprom, which brought in 40 million euros per year.
Russia is also excluded from the competitions of rugby and of ice Hockey. Concerning the Paralympic Games, which kicks off on Friday, announcements could take place on Wednesday. As of last week, Russia had been deprived of several events: the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sochi has been canceled, the Champions League final will be played at the Stade de France and not in Saint Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin directly targeted
Vladimir Putin, an accomplished judoka, has been suspended by the International Judo Federation. She stripped him of his honorary president and ambassador titles. Another measure, symbolic but strong, the IOC also withdrew the “Olympic Order” from all senior Russian officials, starting with Vladimir Putin.
Sanctions not so trivial
These sanctions are not insignificant. They deprive Vladimir Putin of one of his favorite tools to make Russia shine around the world. For example, there were the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, then the World Cup in 2018. Two opportunities to show the whole planet a favorable image of Russia, and of its president, who has been accused for years of authoritarian drift. Sport is also a means of ensuring, in part, the support of the population, strengthening the patriotic feeling of Russians. Indispensable, especially after launching an invasion that is difficult to justify.
Can these sporting sanctions bring Vladimir Putin back? In any case, they could shake the loyalty of the oligarchs, these billionaires close to the Russian president and who have massively invested in clubs, in Russia or abroad. Especially since they are already subject to many other sanctions, such as the ban on entering European Union airspace with their jets or the freezing of their assets.
