FIFA in advanced talks to suspend Russia from international competition

Football’s world governing body FIFA is in advanced talks over the suspension of Russia’s national teams from international competition.

Officials are working with the sport’s European body UEFA ahead of an expected decision later on Monday.

The suspension would cover all Russian national teams – the women’s side are due to play in UEFA’s Euro 2022 competition in England in July.

It would also mean Russia would be unable to play their World Cup play-off fixture against Poland on 24 March and would therefore make the country unable to qualify for the finals in Qatar in November.

The Polish FA has said it will refuse to allow its national team to play against Russia following the invasion into Ukraine.

The Czech Republic and Sweden, who are in the same play-off ‘path’, have also ruled out facing Russia.

FIFA was criticised on Sunday after a statement that Russia could continue to play matches in neutral venues and only under the name ‘Football Union of Russia’.

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Although FIFA had warned the country could be excluded from competitions if the situation in Ukraine did not improve, the statement was widely criticised with the Polish FA saying the stance was “totally unacceptable”.

England’s FA said the national side would not play Russia “for the forseeable future” – a view that was backed up by a number of European federations.

Russia hosted the last World Cup in 2018 with the final held in Moscow – a match attended by President Vladimir Putin.

It comes as sporting bodies moved to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials.

Athletes from Ukraine and other nations had called on the IOC to take action after Russia launched its invasion by land, air and sea last week.

The IOC said on Monday its executive board made the decision “in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants”.

The Russian Olympic Committee disagreed with the IOC, saying the decision “contradicts both the regulatory documents of the IOC and the (Olympic) Charter”.

The IOC’s statement came shortly before the Winter Paralympics, which start in Beijing on Friday.

The International Paralympic Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss Russia ahead of the Games.

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