Russia excluded from the world in Qatar 2022: Fifa breaks its principle of neutrality

Virginie Phulpin 07:25, March 01, 2022

The IOC relies on the violation of the Olympic truce to ask all international federations to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions.

FIFA and UEFA have followed these recommendations.

Russia should not participate in the next World Cup.

We are living in a historic moment in world sport. 

The IOC press release will be a milestone.

The International Olympic Committee could not accept a country openly flouting the Olympic truce.

It must be said that Russia started the war in Ukraine between the end of the Beijing Olympics and the start of the Paralympic Games.

It's hard not to react.

It is particularly interesting, this press release.

Because the Olympic movement explains the dilemma in which it found itself.

Its purpose is not to punish athletes for decisions made by their government.

But at the same time, with this war, Russians can continue to take part in sporting events, while very many Ukrainian athletes cannot because their country is under attack.

So the IOC decided to crack down, explaining that it was not light hearted.

Exposing in such a transparent way the moral problems and the questions of sporting equity that the Olympic movement found itself before deciding, that seems important to me, so that everyone understands the journey towards the decision.

We often say when things are not going well, we must also emphasize when things are done well.

It is so clear that FIFA and UEFA have followed in the footsteps of the IOC.

Yet FIFA was dragging its feet a bit.

It therefore means that Russia will not participate in the play-offs of the World Cup, and that Russian footballers will not go to the Euro this summer in England.

On a sports scale, it's huge.

We are talking about the country that organized the last World Cup.

It seems important to me, so that everyone understands the process towards the decision.

We often say when things are not going well, we must also emphasize when things are done well.

It is so clear that FIFA and UEFA have followed in the footsteps of the IOC.

Yet FIFA was dragging its feet a bit.

It therefore means that Russia will not participate in the play-offs of the World Cup, and that Russian footballers will not go to the Euro this summer in England.

On a sports scale, it's huge.

We are talking about the country that organized the last World Cup.

It seems important to me, so that everyone understands the process towards the decision.

We often say when things are not going well, we must also emphasize when things are done well.

It is so clear that FIFA and UEFA have followed in the footsteps of the IOC.

Yet FIFA was dragging its feet a bit.

It therefore means that Russia will not participate in the play-offs of the World Cup, and that Russian footballers will not go to the Euro this summer in England.

On a sports scale, it's huge.

We are talking about the country that organized the last World Cup.

It therefore means that Russia will not participate in the play-offs of the World Cup, and that Russian footballers will not go to the Euro this summer in England.

On a sports scale, it's huge.

We are talking about the country that organized the last World Cup.

It therefore means that Russia will not participate in the play-offs of the World Cup, and that Russian footballers will not go to the Euro this summer in England.

On a sports scale, it's huge.

We are talking about the country that organized the last World Cup.  

The Russian football federation speaks could challenge these sanctions.

Yes, for that you would have to file an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But it will be difficult to defend.

Whether we like it or not, Russian athletes represent their country with their national teams.

A country that invaded another.

Of course they are not all in agreement with this war, of course it is heartbreaking to see certain athletes deprived of the competition of their lives when they do not take part in the actions of their government. .

But they represent their country.

It is not a question of making every Russian sportsman a suspect of acquaintance with Vladimir Putin's regime.

It is a question of banishing Russia from sporting nations.

It is important to make the distinction.

This is a historic moment for sport, the IOC has taken a political decision, far from the often claimed neutrality.

FIFA and UEFA followed.

And this is a turning point.

Because from now on, the authorities of world sport will always be questioned about the attitude to adopt vis-à-vis athletes who come from countries guilty of aggression.

A new era began yesterday.