FIFA, UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams

FIFA and UEFA have decided that Russian players would not be allowed to compete under Russia's name, while the country's flag and anthem would be banned and any match would have to be played at a neutral venue behind closed doors.

FIFA have decided to exclude Russia from the Qatar World Cup, following the calls for the country to be excluded from the tournament.

Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, England and France have refused to play against Russia, and FIFA, hand in hand with UEFA, have taken the step to eliminate Russia from the road to the World Cup 2022.

In addition, according to Bild, the Europa League last-16 tie between RB Leipzig and Spartak Moscow (March 10 and 17) will be cancelled by UEFA.

Read Full Statement by UEFA 

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.