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Russia Ukraine War

FIFA, UEFA Suspend Russia From International Football Over Ukraine Crisis

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World football governing body, FIFA and UEFA has announced the suspension of Russia from international football.

This was made known in a joint statement on Monday by Fifa and Uefa.

The statement reads: “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.”

Naija News reports that this is following the invasion of Ukraine that has left at least 240 civilian casualties.

Recall that Fifa had on Sunday banned the singing of Russia’s national anthem and flag from their upcoming international matches.

In a statement, Fifa disclosed that it would also continue talks with other sporting organisations to determine whether to expel Russia from all tournaments.

“Fifa would like to reiterate its condemnation of the use of force by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine,” the statement read.

“Violence is never a solution and Fifa expresses its deepest solidarity to all people affected by what is happening in Ukraine.

“Fifa will continue its ongoing dialogue with the International Olympic Committee, Uefa and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.

“Fifa’s thoughts remain with everybody affected by this shocking and worrying situation.”

Despite the announcement, Poland, Sweden and Czech had insisted that they would not play Russia which has led the football body to suspend Vladimir Putin’s led nation.