French boss wants Russia out of World Cup

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has become the first significant figure in the sport to say Russia should be thrown out of the men's World Cup following the invasion of Ukraine.

Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have all refused to play Russia next month in the play-offs for the tournament in Qatar in November and December.

"That is my first impulse," Le Graet told Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday when asked if Russia should be banned from the tournament.

"The world of sport, and football in particular, cannot remain neutral. I will certainly not object to Russia's exclusion."

World football body FIFA must make the decision and Le Graet, 80, is on the governing FIFA Council who voted for Russia to host the last men's World Cup in 2018.

The Czechs have joined Poland and Sweden in refusing to face Russia in the play-offs for Qatar regardless of the match venue.

A statement on Sunday said the executive committee of the Czech football federation and players agreed it was "not possible to play against the Russian national team in the current situation".

Poland were first to say they would not play Russia in their March 24 play-off semi-final even if the tie was moved from Moscow.

The winners of Sweden v Czech Republic in the other path B semi-final were then scheduled to go to Russia, if they won, for the March 29 final.

The three nations initially called on FIFA to move matches from Russia, something the global football body declined to do immediately.

Russia is becoming increasingly isolated in the sporting world and European football's ruling body UEFA has already said matches cannot be played in Russia or Ukraine.

It is also set to consider the sponsorship deal it has with Russian state energy firm