Ukrainian athletes call for blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, FIFA bans matches in Russia

Ukrainian athletes have signed a letter calling for the banning of all Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sport.

When Russia invaded Ukraine last week, one part of the military forces crossed Ukraine's northern border with Belarus, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to describe them as «complicit in this offensive» and set to face European Union sanctions.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged international sports federations to either move or cancel events planned in Russia or Belarus.

But athletes from Ukraine are calling for Russians and Belarusians to be barred from competing around the globe entirely, in a letter to the IOC and International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

«Any suspension [of the nations' Olympic committees] must also include the banning of all athletes from international sport, including the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games,» the letter reads, referring to the Winter Paralympics that start on March 4.

«Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a clear breach of the Olympic and Paralympic charters — a breach that must be met with strong sanctions.

»If the IOC and IPC refuse to take swift action you are clearly emboldening both Russia and Belarus['s] violation of international law and your own charters.

«Your lack of action will send a message to every athlete and the world that you have chosen Russia and Belarus interests over athlete interests. Your legacy will be defined by your actions.

»Make no mistake, athletes in Ukraine are united in this call. It has been a challenge to speak with all athletes from Ukraine as they are seeking safety in bomb shelters."

The letter was signed by various athletes saying they represented all Ukrainians in their respective sports,