ZURICH (ِDispathes) - Russian football clubs and national teams have been suspended from all competitions by FIFA and UEFA.

The world and European football governing bodies said they would be banned “until further notice”.

It means the Russian men’s team will not play their World Cup play-off matches next month and the women’s team have been banned from this summer’s Euro 2022 competition.

Spartak Moscow have also been kicked out of the Europa League and their last-16 opponents RB Leipzig will advance to the quarterfinals.

UEFA has also ended its sponsorship with Russian energy giant Gazprom.

“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” FIFA and UEFA said in a joint statement.

“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.”

The Russian men’s team had been scheduled to face Poland in a World Cup play off semifinal on 24 March.

Russia Reacts to FIFA, UEFA Decision

 

Russia has reacted with outrage to the exclusion of Russian teams from all competitions and the World Cup in Qatar by the world football association FIFA and the European Football Union.

“The decision is clearly discriminatory in nature and harms a large number of athletes, coaches, club and national team employees, and most importantly, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests international sports organizations must protect in the first place,” the Football Union of Russia said in a statement with an explanation.