© Alamy - Ukrainians Vitalli Mykolenko (Everton) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City) embrace
Posted on 1st March 2022
Yesterday’s news that FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russia’s club sides and national teams from international competition “until further notice” was warmly welcomed across the sporting world.
Unless the Russian government ends its invasion of Ukraine soon it seems likely that Russia’s World Cup qualifying campaign will not be completed while Spartak Moscow will be forced out of the Europa League.
Nations League fixtures in June could be cancelled too, with Russia set to play Albania (twice), Israel and Iceland.
Looking further ahead to July, the Women’s Euro 2022 may also be affected, although UEFA has said a decision will be made at a later date as to Russia’s involvement in the tournament.
Last week UEFA had been one of the first sporting bodies to act when it moved the Champions League final, which takes place on Saturday 28th May, from St Petersburg to Paris. They have also terminated their multi-million Euro sponsorship deal with Russia’s state-owned gas suppliers, Gazprom.
The English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FAs have also announced they will not play Russia in any international fixture for the foreseeable future.
Statement from The FA: pic.twitter.com/mBTJ2y5gh8
— The FA (@FA) February 27, 2022
Many other sports have acted too, with the International Olympic Committee urging all sports bodies to ban athletes from Russia or Belarus, and to stop using either nation’s flag or national anthem.
There may be an exemption for competitors at the upcoming Winter Paralympics due to its “imminent” nature but athletes would not compete under their nation’s name.
The Russian F1 Grand Prix has been cancelled while the International Judo Federation suspended Russian president Vladimir Putin from its ranks.
#BREAKING International Judo Federation suspends Putin as honorary president pic.twitter.com/II1igNIXHZ
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 27, 2022
The International Chess Federation has spoken out and international Russian-based events in badminton, swimming, skiing and volleyball have been moved.
FSA chair Malcolm Clarke:
“The unity shown by major sporting institutions is very important in making clear to Putin and Russia that the world abhors its invasion of Ukraine.
“Football fans in this country have made clear their solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and we support the suspension of Russian teams and national sides from international competition.”
New research carried out on behalf of GambleAware by The Football Supporters’ Association suggests that fans who like to bet in-play will be 83% more likely to place an in-play bet while they are watching a match live at home, than if they were watching it in a stadium.
The FSA has pledged to increase the number of women in its elected positions as part of an industry-wide campaign.
Supporters from across the Europe will be voting to back the FSA’s position against the formation of a European Super League this weekend.
Liverpool fans say they are alarmed by the club’s plans to trademark the name ‘Liverpool’ in a football context.
