Russia banned from FIFA World Cup: Latest on decision to suspend nation from competitions, as boycott grows

FIFA is reportedly looking to suspend Russia from the 2022 World Cup
(Getty Images)

Russia's national teams and club teams have been suspended indefinitely from international competition by both world-governing body FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

That decision will rule out Russia's men's team from participating in the World Cup qualifying playoffs scheduled to be held at the end of March. Unless the format is changed or the suspension is lifted, that would essentially eliminate Russia from qualifying contention for Qatar 2022. FIFA did not explain how the World Cup qualifying playoffs would be altered in Russia's absence.

There has been increasing public pressure on FIFA to throw Russia out of the tournament, especially after the International Olympic Committee issued a statement recommending that Russia and Belarus be banned from all competitions. (Belarus has previously been eliminated from World Cup qualifying contention.)

The news of FIFA's Russia ban comes 24 hours after the world governing body had imposed new rules for future participation by Russia in FIFA competitions that eliminated use of the country's name, anthem, flag and colors.

In the interim, additional nations around the world have stated that they will refuse to play against Russia

Here's a look at the situation surrounding Russia and the impact on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Will Russia play in 2022 FIFA World Cup?

Hours after the IOC's recommended ban, FIFA went a step further and suspended Russia from all competitions. Just 24 hours earlier it stopped short of that, instead issuing a ruling to force Russia to compete as a neutral team and on neutral territory.

However, FIFA had left open the possibility of exclusion from competition, and it explicitly mentioned it as an option in its statement.

With Russia excluded from World Cup qualifying — it was scheduled to play up to two single-elimination playoff matches in March with a World Cup ticket on the line — it remains to be seen how FIFA will tweak the qualifying route for other countries. 

Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic were all set to vie against Russia for a berth to Qatar 2022, but the three countries had previously said they would not take the field against a Russian team.

FIFA could decide to give Poland a bye to the World cup playoff final, or it could decide to offer Russia's spot to another team (Ex. Slovakia, which finished behind Russia in their European qualifying group). 

What was the IOC's ruling on Russia?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Feb. 28 issued a recommendation to international sports federations, organizers and governing bodies to "not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials in international competitions." 

And where that's not possible, the IOC urged that these same sports federations only allow participants from Russia and Belarus as "neutral athletes or neutral teams" and not under their country names (including without national flags, anthems or symbols).

The IOC had previously issued an urgent recommendation that sporting events should not be organized in Russia or Belarus. 

Teams boycott Russia in World Cup qualifying

Poland, Czech Republic and Sweden have all stated that they will refuse to play against Russia at any venue moving forward, while more countries have followed suit, including the USA and England.

In the wake of those statements, FIFA had indicated it would continue to hold talks to determine whether Valeri Karpin's side should be expelled from competitions. That decision came down on Feb. 28.

It's unclear when the suspension will be lifted with FIFA stating that it hopes "the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

How other sports are handling the Russia-Ukraine crisis

Formula One have announced that the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi has been cancelled. The race was scheduled for Sept. 25.

In addition, the International Tennis Federation has cancelled all events taking place in Russia.

The European curling championships, which were set to take place in Russia in November, will now be held elsewhere.

Meanwhile, hosts Finland have called for both Russia and Belarus to be excluded from the ice hockey world championship finals. The tournament is due to take place between May 13-29.

As reported by Finland's Yle, Harri Nummela, the chair of the Finish Ice Hockey Association, said: "We had an active discussion over the weekend and also held a meeting with Luc Tardif, President of the International Hockey Federation. We have said that we do not intend to play against the national teams of these countries [Russia and Belarus].''

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