A meeting was held at the headquarters of the International Football Federation (FIFA) to discuss measures against the Russian national team in connection with the armed conflict in Ukraine.
FIFA leaders condemned Russia’s actions in this conflict, called on the parties to an early peaceful settlement and adopted a number of sanctions regarding football teams representing Russia in the international arena, according to the official website of the organization.
After consultations with the International Olympic Committee, FIFA unanimously adopted the following decisions:
- international matches will not be held on the territory of Russia – clubs and teams will play home matches on neutral fields without spectators;
- associations representing the country in tournaments will play under the name of the Russian Football Union (RFU), and not Russia;
- the use of Russian symbols – the flag and the anthem – during matches is prohibited.
Thus, FIFA has not yet suspended the Russian national team from participating in the play-offs for the right to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. However, the organization stressed that if the conflict is not resolved soon, it is very likely that sanctions will be tightened against Russian football.
Recall that the Russian team in the play-offs should meet first with the Polish team, and then with the winner of the Sweden-Czech Republic pair. The football leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic expressed their disagreement with the FIFA decision and still refuse to take the field against Russia.
Photo: FIFA official website
