Going by the latest reports as conveyed by multiple outlets, UEFA may remove Spartak Moscow from the UEFA Europa League as their counterpart, RB Leipzig may get a bye to the next round or may have to play another opposition to complete the fate of the contest.
A communique is still awaited as the deliberations are ongoing about the possible repercussions and what can be a solid remedy if UEFA goes forth with this decision. RB Leipzig quoted in a statement, “We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in UEFA and their decision. We assume the games will be cancelled.”
The current situation revolving Spartak Moscow
Currently, Spartak Moscow is the solitary team from Russia to be remaining in the tournament. They excelled to the knock-out stages after acing the group league fixtures that included the starry likes of Leicester City.
However, the Foxes prevailed in a pulsating encounter where Patson Daka hammered home a quartet while the return fixture witnessed the teams sharing the spoils of the war in a comparatively low-scoring affair.
As the reports suggest, UEFA is trying to conduct a meeting for Tuesday where the fate of Spartak Moscow hangs in the balance. The maneuver comes on the back of the fact that multiple European outfits are backing down from playing against Russia.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin advised against suspending Russia given the probable repercussions that may follow. He stands firm on the stance that the sport should not suffer.
Tuesday’s meeting will also play a crucial part in the fact whether FIFA withdraws itself from its sponsorship deal with Gazprom, a Russian state-owned organization.
The English FA has already announced that they will not be involved in playing with Russia under any circumstances or disguise.
The England FA said that it has made the decision “It of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership.”
It clearly flags the fact that in case if Russia is drawn against England in the upcoming World Cup or the Women’s Euros, then they will be withdrawing from the contest.
The football association of Wales echoed England’s sentiments, citing, “it stands in solidarity with Ukraine and feels an extreme amount of sadness and shock to the recent developments in the country”.
Scotland has also confirmed that they will not indulge themselves in any kind of sporting activities against Russia. Ireland has pledged full and unequivocal support to Ukraine saying that it would not be coming face to face with any Russian teams.
Following a meeting on Sunday, the FIFA Council quoted,
- Russia cannot play any FIFA matches in Russia
- Russia cannot call itself Russia and will be called the ‘Football Union of Russia’
- No flag or anthem of Russia will be used in matches where teams from the Football Union of Russia participate
- The next step is to ban Russia from competitions “should the situation not be improving rapidly
A statement released by FIFA penned, “FIFA will continue its ongoing dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sports organizations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.”
