FIFA And UEFA Suspend Russia From The World Cup 2022 And All Other Competitions

FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russia from the World Cup and all other competitions following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. 

A joint statement from FIFA and UEFA released today 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."

It comes after England, Poland and Sweden announced they would refuse to play Russia in the World Cup qualifiers.

The FA released a statement, saying: "Out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, the FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future.

"This includes any potential match at any level of senior, age group or para football."

While, President of Poland’s Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, posted on Twitter to say the Polish national team ‘does not intend’ to play against Russia and said he was in talks with his counterparts in Sweden and the Czech Republic. 

He wrote: “No more words, time to act! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia.

"This is the only right decision. We are in talks with Swedish and Czech association to bring forward a joint statement to FIFA.”

FIFA previously said Russia must play international matches in neutral countries without supporters, flags and anthems.

However, Sweden has said it would also refuse to play against the Russian side ‘regardless of where the match is played’.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.