Russia thrown out of football as Spartak Moscow brand ban 'extremely upsetting' – The Warm-Up

TUESDAY’S BIG STORIES FIFA and UEFA unite to ban Russia Ad/> Barely 24 hours after FIFA were roundly criticised for the initial repercussions imposed on Russia – tweaking their name to the Football Union of Russia, banning the national flag and anthem – world football’s governing body joined forces with UEFA to deliver a much more damning punishment. Premier LeagueWhat went wrong for Marsch at Leipzig and is he a good fit for Leeds? – Inside Europe17 HOURS AGO No men’s World Cup. No Women’s Euro 2022.

No more Europa League for Spartak Moscow. No more Gazprom sponsorship. “Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” read the joint statement from FIFA and UEFA.

“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.” It was a major shift from FIFA – an organisation that has given us Sepp Blatter's controversy-strewn reign and a problematic Qatar World Cup – and further illustrated the immense gravity of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Remember Russia only hosted the World Cup three and a half years ago, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino rubbing shoulders with Vladimir Putin. Of course, the catalyst for the decision was a spree of national football associations declaring they would not play Russia while the war continued.

The uneasy scenario of Russia winning the World Cup without kicking a ball, each opponent refusing to turn up, lurked in the background. And when the IOC called on sporting bodies to ban Russian teams, the path was clear for football to lay down its judgement. The announcement found praise on social media, both inside sport and out.