'Russia had to be gone or the World Cup itself would be in jeopardy. FIFA doesn’t deserve praise for waiting this long,' writes AndyJ0seph for ForTheWin.
The global soccer community sent a clear message to FIFA on Sunday: Half-measured responses to Russia’s Ukraine invasion won’t be accepted.On Monday, FIFA — world soccer’s governing body — and its European counterpart UEFA came to a joint agreement to indefinitely ban Russia from competition in response to the invasion launched in Ukraine last week. It’s a major blow to Russia, which will be forced to forfeit its spot in the UEFA play-off for World Cup qualifying.
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.But let’s not overlook the shamefully slow road FIFA took to arrive at this decision.
So, given FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s friendly relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin, Sunday’s weak response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine wasn’t a surprise as much as it was a disappointment. That was when Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic inspired a definitive stand against FIFA’s weak response. All three federations said they would be willing to forfeit and miss the World Cup entirely before they shared a field with Russia — regardless of the name.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FIFA says no World Cup qualifying ban yet; Russia to play as RFUFIFA backed away from immediately expelling Russia from World Cup qualifying on Sunday but said it remained an option, deciding instead the squad can play using the “RFU” acronym for the country’s football federation.
Read more »
FIFA set to suspend Russia from football, 2022 World Cup: reportAn official announcement of the temporary ban could come as soon as Monday and is part of several other recent sports-related decisions against Russia.
Read more »
FIFA Bans Russia From World Cup After Country Invades, Attacks UkraineFIFA has reversed course and will now BAN Russia from the 2022 World Cup ... after Putin's military forces invaded Ukraine.
Read more »
FIFA Suspends Russia From World Cup, International CompetitionsSoccer’s governing bodies announced that Russian national teams and clubs have been suspended from all competitions, including the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
Read more »
Czech Republic joins Poland, Sweden in refusing to play Russia in 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffThe Czech Republic joined Poland and Sweden in refusing to play Russia in the World Cup qualifying in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »
World Cup Organizers Suspend Russia From Top Soccer CompetitionsRussia faces a competition ban 'until further notice' from world and European soccer governing bodies FIFA and UEFA after its invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »