Firm recommendations from the International Olympic Committee and “FIFA” against Russia

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee and the International Football Association (FIFA) increased pressure on Russia, with the first recommendation to ban Russian athletes from participating in international competitions, and the second announcing that it would engage in “advanced discussions” to exclude it from the World Cup in Qatar 2022, in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee recommended banning the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, following a strong, despite symbolic measure, by withdrawing the “Olympic Merit” Medal, the highest Olympic medal, from all senior Russian officials, starting with President Vladimir Putin.

"In order to protect the integrity of world sporting competitions and for the safety of all participants, the IOC recommends that international sports federations and organizers of sporting events not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions," the IOC said in a statement.

She added that if there were "regulatory or legal reasons" that prevented the Russian athletes from being denied access, the IOC demanded that they "not be allowed to participate under the name of Russia or Belarus".

The issue is particularly urgent for the Winter Paralympic Games, which start on Friday in Beijing.

And she continued, "When, in the most extreme circumstances, it is not possible to put these measures in the short term for organizational or legal reasons, the International Council of the International Olympic Committee leaves it up to the relevant organizing committee to find its own way," stressing that it focused "particularly on the Winter Paralympics." It renewed its full support for the International Paralympic Committee and the Games.

The International Olympic Committee maintained its recommendation not to hold a competition on Russian soil.

Breaking with its tradition of demanding athletes' neutrality, the IOC saluted "the many calls for peace by athletes, sports officials and members of the global Olympic community. The IOC particularly appreciates and supports the calls for peace from Russian athletes."

Regarding the Olympic Order of Merit awarded to Putin, the IOC said in a statement, "The IOC Executive Board, based on the exceptional circumstances of the situation, and in view of the extremely serious violation of the Olympic Truce and other violations of the Olympic Charter by the Russian government in the past, made a decision to withdraw the Medal of Merit. Olympian from all persons currently occupying an important position in the Government of the Russian Federation.

Waiting for "FIFA" and "Wifa"

Simultaneously, FIFA is holding "advanced discussions" to exclude the Russian national team from participating in international competitions, including the Qatar World Cup 2022, according to what Agence France-Presse learned from a source familiar with the file on Monday.

FIFA is working with the European Union (Wifa) to activate the decision that will exclude Russia from the World Cup in Qatar, which is scheduled from November 21 to December 18 next, "unless the situation improves," according to the same source.

It is reported that Russia is expected to face Poland in the World Cup play-off first leg on March 24 in Moscow.

And the German "Seed" agency affiliated with AFP had indicated earlier that the European Football Association ("UEFA") was close to excluding Russia from all its competitions.

Spartak Moscow will be the first Russian team affected by this decision, as it is the only representative of its country in the three continental competitions for men (the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League), as it reached the price of the European League final, and it is assumed that it will face the German Leipzig.

According to this decision, the Russian women's team will also be excluded from the European Championship to be held next July in Britain.

The lottery put him in the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Syed explained that the decision to suspend Russia's membership is supported by many federations, including the strong German and English federations.

"I can't imagine that there can be matches against Russia, it is not possible," said Peter Peters, a member of the International Federation of the Game Council (FIFA) and a candidate for the presidency of the German Federation, "Sid" agency.

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