Football: FIFA and UEFA take further action against Russia!

By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw

As a result of the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, supported by Belarus, on 24 February 2022, FIFA and UEFA have taken further action and suspended Russian football clubs and national teams from all competitions “until further notice.”

These competitions include the Russian men’s World Cup play-off matches and the Russian women’s participation in Euro 2022.

Also, Spartak Moscow have been kicked out of the Europa League and UEFA have terminated their sponsorship deal with the Russian energy conglomerate, Gazprom.

FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement as follows:

“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 among people.”

The RFU, the Russian football governing body, stated that it “categorically disagreed” with the decision and would challenge it “in accordance with international sports law”.

Spartak Moscow has described the decision as “upsetting” and added:

“We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them.”

Furthermore, the English Premier League Club, Manchester United, have terminated their sponsorship deal with Aeroflot, the Russian national airline, and the Bundesliga Club, Schalke, have terminated their main sponsorship deal with Gazprom and also removed the company’s logo from its shirts.

Other global sports are expected to follow suit. For example, the FIA (world motor sport) has cancelled the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix, which was due to take place in Sochi on 25 September 2022.

Also, the International Olympic Committee has urged sports’ governing bodies to ban Russian and Belarussian athletes “in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants.”

Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’