INFO FRANCEINFO. Russia excluded from the next FIFA World Cup in Qatar, decide UEFA and Fifa

Russia is excluded from the next FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, according to information from franceinfo. UEFA and Fifa agreed Monday, February 28 in the afternoon during an exceptional meeting, four days after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fifa and UEFA then announced in a statement their decision to suspend the Russian national team and Russian football clubs until further notice in solidarity with Ukraine.

FIFA and UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions.

Full statement: ⬇️

— UEFA (@UEFA) February 28, 2022

The Russian Football Federation has denounced a measure « discriminatory » and said to himself « Totally disagree with the decision of Fifa and UEFA to suspend the Russian teams » and believes that this measure « will have a discriminatory effect on a large number of athletes, coaches, club employees or the national team ».

UEFA organizes the European qualifiers of the competition, while Fifa organizes the final phase of the World Cup. The Russian football team was to play the qualifying play-offs for the 2022 World Cup on March 24 against Poland in Moscow. As of Friday, his opponents (Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden) had all announced their refusal to play against Russia.

This exclusion from the play-offs de facto deprives Russia of the 2022 World Cup. A joint press release from the two bodies is expected at the end of the day. UEFA has also taken note of the exclusion of the only Russian club still involved in the European Cup: Spartak Moscow will not play its round of 16 on March 10 and 17 against the Germans of Red Bull Leipzig.

On Sunday, Fifa had already decided to prohibit the Russian national team or Russian clubs from hosting an international meeting on their lawn, the matches having to be organized on neutral ground. The body also forced Russian footballers to play under a neutral banner and without a national anthem.