Which teams are affected by suspension?
World Cup 2022 – Russia were scheduled to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying play-off on March 24 and if they remain suspended at that time, they would be out of the World Cup and unable to progress to the finals in Qatar in November.
Europa League – UEFA has already confirmed Spartak Moscow will not play their Europa League match against RB Leipzig, with the German club advancing to the quarter-finals.
Nations League – In June, Russia are due to play Albania twice, as well as games against Israel and Iceland.
Women’s Euro 2022 – UEFA says a decision will be made at a later date about the impact on the tournament in England in July, which Russia have qualified for.
A joint FIFA and UEFA statement read: “Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted after the ban was confirmed: “This is a powerful message from the international sporting community that we will not tolerate Putin’s abhorrent assaults on freedom and liberty. Well done FIFA and UEFA.”
The decision comes after FIFA and UEFA came under intense pressure from individual countries to go further in their sanctions, with FIFA first having said that Russia could compete as the ‘Football Union of Russia’ and play matches outside of the country.
Spartak Moscow out of Europa League | Spartak: Extremely upsetting
Following the announcement, UEFA confirmed the Europa League last-16 tie between Spartak Moscow and RB Leipzig next month will not take place, with the German club automatically progressing to the quarter-finals.
A UEFA statement read: “As a consequence of today’s decision by the UEFA Executive Committee to suspend Russian club and national teams from taking part in UEFA competitions until further notice, the UEFA Europa League matches between RB Leipzig and FC Spartak Moskva cannot take place, and, as a consequence, RB Leipzig are qualified to the quarter-finals of the competition”.
In response to UEFA’s decision, Spartak Moscow say it is “extremely upsetting” and one “we do not agree with”, but are “looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace”.
“This verdict is connected to the organisations’ position on recent events that have taken place in Ukraine,” a club statement read.
“The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports.
“Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with.
“For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs.”
UEFA says a decision will be made at a later date about the impact on the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament in England in July, which Russia have qualified for.
The suspension could also affect the men’s Nations League later this year. Russia are due to play Albania twice in June, as well as games against Israel and Iceland.
