RB Leipzig is in the quarter-finals without a fight
Emil Forsberg and RB Leipzig have been drawn for the round of 16 of the Europa League Spartak Moscow
Quelle: Getty Images/Joosep Martinson
RB Leipzig is in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. For the round of 16, the Saxons had been drawn against a Russian opponent. The people of Leipzig are now benefiting from a decision by Uefa.
Dhe Europa League round of 16 between RB Leipzig and Spartak Moscow on March 10 and 17 will not take place due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fifa and Uefa announced on Monday evening that they would suspend Russia from all competitions over the attack on Ukraine. Leipzig is without a fight in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“Football is united here and in full solidarity with all affected people in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can again be a factor for unity and peace between people,” said the joint statement by Fifa and Uefa.
Uefa did not take the option of using a new opponent through a successor procedure. A trip from Moscow to Leipzig had previously been difficult for logistical reasons due to the blocking of European airspace for Russian aircraft.
“We are still in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in Uefa and their decision,” club boss Oliver Mintzlaff said recently, “We assume that the games will be canceled.” Uefa also announced the cooperation with the Russian sponsor Gazprom with immediate effect.
Tedesco was against a boycott
Uefa had already decided on Sunday that Russia would no longer be allowed to play international games on its own territory, but only on neutral ground. Spartak Moscow probably wanted to play against Leipzig in Yerevan (Armenia) or Baku (Azerbaijan). Now the club is apparently completely excluded from the European Cup, Spartak is the last Russian representative in the three Uefa competitions.
While national teams like Poland boycotted games against Russia, this was apparently not an option for the Leipzig coach. Domenico Tedesco, previously under contract with Spartak himself, said at the weekend: “When the question of a boycott comes up, in my opinion it always hits the wrong people. It primarily affects the athletes and the fans.”
