Russia expelled from World Cup as FIFA and UEFA hand down bans

Russia has been expelled from the World Cup after being suspended from all international competitions until further notice, FIFA and UEFA announced in a joint statement on Monday.

Besides, the European football’s governing body also ended its partnership with Russian energy giant Gazprom.

The men’s team had been due to play in qualifying play-offs in March for the World Cup in Qatar later this year, while its women’s side had qualified for the European Championship in England, to be held in July.

The announcement also affects Russian clubs involved in European competitions.

“FIFA and UEFA have 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,” read the joint statement from the governing bodies of world and European football.

Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine, the statement added.

ARR