France Say Russia Should Be Expelled From 2022 World Cup

World Cup champions France have called on Russia to be expelled from this year's tournament, with three counties refusing to face them in the playoffs.

Now FIFA are facing the problem of the World Cup qualifiers for Qatar this winter, with Russia set to play in the playoffs next month.

Now the president of the French Football Association, Noel Le Graet, has called on FIFA to throw Valeri Karpin's side out of qualifying.

"The world of sport, and especially football, cannot remain neutral. I certainly would not oppose the expulsion of Russia," La Graet told Le Parisien.

"In these dramatic circumstances, how can one envisage playing football against this country."

The call from the French federation comes after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic all said they would not be facing Russia in the playoffs.

That in essence could mean either FIFA having to take on board France's calls to ban Russia, or allow them to go through to the finals without having to play any matches, which certainly wouldn't go down well.

"Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening."