Russia’s national teams have been banned from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA following the country’s invasion of Ukraine; however, the Russian Football Union says it will appeal the bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Court of Arbitration for Sport

The Russian Football Union says it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian national teams from international competitions over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The union said in a statement it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies to demand that Russian men’s and women’s national teams be allowed to compete, including in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA initially stated that Russia would be able to continue to play under the ‘Football Union or Russia’ name, and without their flag or anthem being present at matches.

But world football’s governing body then released a joint statement with UEFA on Monday announcing Russia’s national teams, plus its clubs, were banned from all competitions.

The statement from the governing bodies read: “Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today 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.

“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

“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.”

Russia were due to play Poland in a World Cup qualifier later this month, with the winner of the tie playing either Sweden or the Czech Republic for a place at the finals in Qatar, but all three nations refused to face them.

A number of European football associations, including those of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, also stated they would not face Russian sides, and we are betting that this is only the beginning.

Spartak Moscow, Russia’s only remaining team in European club competition, were also thrown out of the Europa League.