FIFA, UEFA suspend Russia over Ukraine invasion

FIFA and UEFA have released a joint statement to punish Russian teams following the latter's invasion of Ukraine. (Photo credit: FIFA)

Russia and Russian clubs have been thrown out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and European competitions respectively following Russia’s bullish invasion of Ukraine.

The World football governing body and UEFA issued a joint statement yesterday in the wake of ongoing crisis in Ukraine, both bodies have confirmed that Russia will not be allowed to play Poland in a World Cup qualifier that was going to give them a chance to play either Sweden or Czech Republic in the final.

In the same vein, the Russian female team would not be eligible to take part in the female World Cup billed for England in July. Spartak Moscow have also been thrown out of the Europa League, this means RB Leipzig have qualified for the quarter finals on a bye.

FIFA and UEFA over the years have distanced themselves from politics but with every relevant body rising against the indiscretions of Vladmir Putin and Russia as a whole, it’s inevitable for football to strike against the inhuman moves.

In a further move, UEFA confirmed that it was canceling its deal with sponsor Gazprom -- the Russian energy company -- which is worth €40 million a year to the organization.

In a statement, FIFA and UEFA said: "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."