FIFA bans Russia from World Cup after IOC call to suspend athletes

Russia has been banned by FIFA from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar following its invasion of Ukraine.

In a joint statement with European football body UEFA, FIFA confirmed that Russian clubs and national teams had been banned from competitions "until further notice".

The decision comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had urged bodies to exclude Russian athletes and officials from international events.

The IOC said the move was needed to “protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants.”

The decision allowed FIFA -- football's governing body -- to exclude Russia from the World Cup ahead of its scheduled qualifying playoff on March 24.

Poland -- as well as potential opponents Albania, Sweden and the Czech Republic -- have already refused to play against Russia.

FIFA already said on Sunday that it was talking to the IOC about excluding Russia from competitions “should the situation not be improving rapidly.”

The body was criticised for stating that Russia must complete their upcoming games in neutral territory, under the title "Football Union of Russia", and without their flag and anthem.

UEFA has also excluded Russian teams from its competitions based on the IOC announcement. Spartak Moscow had been scheduled to play next week in the Europa League against German club RB Leipzig, but have now been banned.

Russia's women's team has also been banned from this summer's European Championships.

The moves are not unprecedented, as FIFA and UEFA expelled Yugoslavia from its competitions in 1992 when war broke out in the Balkans.

Sports bodies and clubs across Europe have already moved against Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

German football club Schalke decided to end its longstanding