Russian Football Federation appeals against ban on participation in international competitions

The Russian Football Federation has announced that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against FIFA and UEFA’s decision to ban Russian national teams from participating in international competitions over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The federation said in a statement that it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies (FIFA and UEFA), demanding that the Russian men’s and women’s national teams be allowed to continue competing, including in the ongoing qualifiers for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA initially said Russia would be allowed to continue playing under the name “Football Union or Russia” but without a flag, national symbols or anthem at matches.

World football’s governing body then issued a joint statement with UEFA on Monday announcing that Russia’s national teams and its clubs had been excluded from all competitions.

Russia was due to face Poland in a World Cup qualifier later this month, with the winner playing either Sweden or the Czech Republic to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. But all three nations refused to face them.

Spartak Moscow, as Russia’s only remaining team in European club competition, has also been excluded from the Europa League. RB Leipzig thus advances to the quarterfinals without a fight.

Ukraine has asked FIFA and UEFA to postpone its upcoming World Cup play-off matches with Scotland.

Their semi-final play-off match was due to be played at Hampden Park on 24 March, with the winner taking on Austria or Wales in Cardiff for the World Cup.

Source: Sky Sports