UEFA holds emergency meeting as FIFA considers expelling Russia from all competitions

Russia could be banned from all UEFA competitions as early as Monday. The continental body has convened an emergency online meeting starting at 18:00.

Alexander Ceferin has called his executive committee to extend measures against Russia after it invaded and bombed Ukraine with the help of Belarus.

One of the items on the agenda will be the expulsion of Spartak Moscow from the Europa League. They are the only Russian team left in European competition and, according to 'Bild', the decision has already been taken. RB Leipzig will go straight through to the quarter-finals.

Another issue is UEFA's sponsorship deal with Gazprom, the Russian state-controlled gas company that is one of the most important sponsors of the Champions League.

UEFA could also expel Russia from next year's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, in which Russia and Spain will play together.

No measures will be taken at this meeting regarding the Russian national team in the World Cup play-off in Qatar, or the women's national team in the European Championship, as this is all up to FIFA.

However, as explained by Reuters journalist Simon Evans, FIFA has finally determined that all Russian teams will be excluded from its competitions until further notice.

The agency 'SID', a subsidiary of 'AFP', explained that pressure from other federations such as England and Germany are pushing for sanctions against Russia.

 

February 28, 2022