FIFA, UEFA suspend Russia from all international football

World Football governing body FIFA and Union Of European Football (UEFA) has banned Russian team and its players from participating in their respective competitions following their political standoff with Ukraine. Recently, European national teams such as England, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have refused to play against Russia in the World Cup play-offs. These matches were supposed to be played to determine the teams eligible to qualify for the World Cup, to be played in Qatar this year.

FIFA World Cup holders France have called for the Russian team to be discarded from the 2022 showpiece event. The Qualification tournament started in June 2019 and will end in June this year. Notably, the World Cup will start in November this year and conclude next month. Talking about the UEFA, the Russian clubs have been banned by the European football governing body. This is the first time since 1966 that Russian clubs are not participating in the league.

From 1966 to the break-up of Soviet Union in 1991-92, the teams played in the European competition as part of the union. Since 1992, they have been participating as an independent nation. The war between Russia and Ukraine has not impacted football professionals but other sportspersons as well. The Formula One has cancelled the Grand Prix 2022, which was scheduled in Russia.

Apart from this, the International Chess Federation has cancelled the Chess Olympiad and and FIDE Congress, which were scheduled to be played in Russia. In other development to the ongoing war, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has ended their 14-year association with Russia President Mr. Vladimir Putin. Putin was associated with the World Judo federation as Honorary President and Ambassador since 2008.