FIFA, UEFA bar Russia team and local clubs from international football

Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine is the major news in the world. Everyone stands in protest of the war, and many have been taken in action. The Sporting community also has taken some major actions against players and teams. Earlier, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Haas F1 driver Nikita Mazepin were in the spotlight, and now it is the Russian football team.

FIFA and UEFA, on Monday, banned Russia and its clubs from all international competitions. The immediate impact of Russia’s soccer suspension is that it will lose its place in a four-team group for one of Europe’s remaining World Cup spots.

This ban came after other teams from the qualifiers strongly protested and stated they will not play against Russia in any circumstances. Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic were the teams to start the revolt. England, France, and the United States of America were the teams to follow.

Earlier, Cezary Kulesza, the president of Poland’s soccer federation tweeted against FIFA’s initial decision to not eject Russia. “We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is,” he wrote in his tweet.

“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” said a FIFA statement. After the International Olympic Committee called for international sports federations to ban Russian athletes and teams from all global sporting events, FIFA and UEFA decided to do the same. When it invaded Ukraine, Russia broke a commitment, the Olympic Truce, agreed to before the Beijing Winter Games.