Ukraine-Russia war: Russia will have to play under a neutral flag, its home matches relocated (FIFA)

The International Football Federation (FIFA) imposed Sunday on Russia to play its matches under a neutral banner and to play its home matches outside its territory, following the invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian anthem and flag will also be banned from international competitions, announced FIFA, which reserves the right to take “additional sanctions, including potential exclusion from competitions”, while the exclusion of Russians from the World Cup -2022 has been mentioned in recent hours, in particular by the French Federation.

To participate in international competitions, in particular the play-offs of the 2022 World Cup scheduled for the end of March, Russia will have to do so under the name of the “Russian Football Federation” (RFU), specifies the body led by Gianni Infantino.

Poland furious with FIFA

These decisions, awaited by the sporting world for several days, were taken “unanimously” by the bureau of the FIFA Council, specifies the body. However, they cast doubt on the fate of the World Cup play-offs at the end of March, because Poland, which is to face Russia on the 24th, has warned that it will refuse to play the match.

Sweden and the Czech Republic, which could also have to challenge the Russians a few days later in the final of these dams, have also planned to do the same, according to press releases from their federations. FIFA”took note“of these positions and a”engaged in dialogue“with the federations concerned, with the aim of”finding appropriate and acceptable solutions“.

In the evening, the Polish Football Association openly criticized FIFA’s decisions with Russia, describing them as “totally unacceptable“. “The Polish national team will not play against Russia, regardless of the name of the team“, reacted Cezary Kulesza, the president of the Polish Federation, on Twitter.