Soccer-CAS upholds FIFA ban on Russian teams while court deliberates

DUBAI: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected a request from the Russian Football Union (RFU) to freeze FIFA’s decision to suspend all Russian teams and clubs from its competitions while the CAS deliberates on the case. Friday’s decision effectively prevents Russia from taking part in World Cup qualifying playoffs scheduled later this month as no CAS hearing has yet been fixed. Soccer governing bodies FIFA and UEFA had decided together that all Russian teams, whether national or club sides, be suspended from participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The challenged decision remains in force and all Russian teams and clubs continue to be suspended from participation in FIFA competitions,” the CAS said in a statement. “The CAS arbitration proceedings continue. A panel of arbitrators is currently being constituted and the parties are exchanging written submissions.” Russia were scheduled to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying playoff on March 24.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment. The World Cup will be held in Qatar from November. The Polish FA had said that they would refuse to play against the Russian team and the Czech Republic and Sweden, who are in the same playoff path, had also ruled out facing Russia.