By Saidu Abubakar
Russia’s decision to invade neighbouring Ukraine has turned virtually the whole world against the Vladimir Putin-led country that is (so far) only supported by elarus in the ongoing war. Sports bodies the world over, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and football’s governing body FIFA, have announced sanctions against Russia which can have far-reaching consequences for the country as a sporting nation in the future. Here’s how the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine by Russian forces threaten to wipe Russia out from world sports:
IOC calls for stripping Russia of host status for sports events
The International Olympic Committee has urged sports bodies to cancel or move all events they plan to hold in Russia and Belarus, and stop using the countries’ flags and national anthems.
Russia breached the Olympic Truce by invading Ukraine four days after the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
FIFA bans Russia from hosting international football matches, expels country from World Cup
No international football matches will be played in Russia and the country’s flag and anthem will be banned from any of their matches abroad, with the governing body of world football, FIFA, announcing a number of sanctions against Russia, and later expelled the country from the World Cup in Qatar this year.
FIFA said the Russian national team could now not compete as Russia, but as the Football Union of Russia (RFU) and any games would be held with no fans on neutral territory.
FIFA, however, at that time, drew swift backlash from European nations for not immediately expelling Russia from World Cup qualifying and only ordering the country to play without its flag and anthem at neutral venues under the name of its federation — the Football Union of Russia.
Protesting against FIFA’s response, Poland, Sweden, England and Czech Republic said they would still refuse to play Russia in international fixtures, including in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
These measures by FIFA were dismissed as unacceptable and the world body, along with UEFA, had to take stronger action.
Acting on it, the world body expelled Russia from the FIFA World Cup and banned the country’s clubs from international competitions “until further notice”. This was announced by FIFA in a joint statement with UEFA.
The men’s team had been due to play in World Cup qualifying play-offs in March, 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.
UEFA shifts Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris
The governing body of European football, UEFA, removed Russia as the host of the 2022 Champions League final, moving the summit clash and the most prestigious match in European club football from the Krestovsky stadium in St. Petersburg to the Stade de France in Paris.
The showpiece final of the European men’s football season will still be held on May 28, as originally planned, but now at the 80,000-seat Stade de France in the Saint-Denis suburb of the French capital after the decision taken by UEFA’s executive committee.
Calls for banning Russian, Belarus athletes
Athletes from Ukraine and other nations have called on the International Olympic Committee to suspend Russia and Belarus and ban their athletes from international events immediately.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a clear breach of the Olympic and Paralympic Charters – a breach that must be met with strong sanctions,” the athletes said in an open letter to IOC President Thomas Bach and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) chief Andrew Parsons.
Russia, Belarus excluded from all international ice skating events
The International Skating Union’s decision pushes Russia out of another sport which is hugely popular at home.
The ISU said no athletes from Russia or its ally Belarus “shall be invited or allowed to participate” in its events until further notice.
“The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country,” the ISU said in a statement.
Premier League giants Chelsea FC impacted on Russian ownership issue
Chelsea FC majority owner Roman Abramovich has handed over ‘stewardship and care’ of the Premier League club to trustees of the team’s charitable foundation. The Russian billionaire announced this amid calls in Britain that his name be added to the list of Russian oligarchs being sanctioned over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich, who bought the London club in 2003, said the foundation was in the “best position to look after the interests” of the club.
Abramovich, however, still remains the owner and according to latest reports, the trustees want more information about whether running the club would be compatible with UK charity laws.
Russia stripped of hosting Volleyball World Championships
Russia has been stripped of hosting the Volleyball World Championships in August and September, governing body the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced.
“The FIVB Board of Administration has come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to prepare and stage the World Championships in Russia due to the war in Ukraine,” said a statement by the International Volleyball Federation.
“It has accordingly decided to remove from Russia the organisation of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship scheduled to be held in August and September 2022.”
Badminton, swimming federations ban athletes from Russia and Belarus
The world governing bodies for badminton and swimming suspended Russia and Belarus from international tournaments on Tuesday, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although they said athletes would be allowed to compete under a neutral banner.
A small number of Russian athletes competing in two back-to-back international Para badminton tournaments in Spain will be allowed to participate as they have already arrived on location, the BWF said.
Swimming’s world governing body FINA, which on Monday called off the World Junior Swimming Championships in Kazan, Russia, also said that Russian and Belarusian athletes would now compete as neutral athletes or neutral teams.
FIH excludes Russia from Women’s Junior World Cup
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday announced their decision to exclude Russia from the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup scheduled from April 1 to 12 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
“FIH is in regular contact with the Hockey Association of Ukraine and is doing its utmost to offer any support it can, in the hope that the Ukrainian team will be able to participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. FIH expresses its strong hope for a peaceful resolution rapidly,” the FIH statement added.
World Athletics bans Russian athletes from competition
Russian athletes were barred from all competitions by governing body World Athletics on Tuesday due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, with immediate effect,” World Athletics said in a statement.
… As Nigeria loses out of Qatar 2022
Just as Nigeria stands to risk being sanctioned by FIFA over fans’ field invasion on Tuesday, 29 March for losing the World Cup ticket, confusion has surrounded the death of Confederation of Africa Football’s doping doctor, Dr. Joseph Kabungo.
Nigeria has lost out of the Qatar World Cup, following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw that gave Ghana an away goal advantage. Earlier in the first leg in Ghana, which took place on Friday, 25th the game had ended goalless.
Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, was said to have died shortly after Ghana stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
There are reports that Kabungo died as a result of stampede in the Abuja stadium before the commencement of the match.
However, another account blamed the doctor’s death on fans’ invasion after the match.
It was also reported that the doctor suffered a cardiac arrest.