Fifa and Uefa suspend Russia from all football

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World governing body Fifa and their European counterparts Uefa on Monday suspended Russia from all football competitions until further notice.

The top football bodies were under pressure to take action after a number of national federations refused to play against any Russian team - national or club - over the conflict in Ukraine.

In a statement by Uefa, the governing bodies said they hoped the situation in Ukraine improves 'rapidly'.

"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," the statement said.

"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 scheduled to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying playoff on March 24. But they will not be able to play that fixture, effectively ending their World Cup 2022 hopes.

The Europa League last-16 match between Spartak Moscow and RB Leipzig was also called off, with Leipzig through to the quarter-finals.

Fifa had on Sunday announced that Russia could continue to play matches albeit at neutral venues and only under the name 'Football Union of Russia'.

However, England's Football Association announced they will not play against Russia, a view that was backed up by a number of European federations, including those of Wales and Scotland. The Polish FA refused to play against the Russian team and the Czech Republic and Sweden, who are in the same