Fifa and Uefa shut down all Russian clubs and national teams from international matches and tournaments.
The decision is valid until further notice.
- This was the only way, says SvFF’s chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson.
Late on Sunday, the news came that Fifa will not exclude Russia from the upcoming playoffs to the World Cup. The country would instead be allowed to play under a different name, with a neutral flag and outside the country’s borders. The Russian national anthem would also not be allowed to be played in connection with international matches.
The decision was met with great anger and now Fifa has changed. Following a meeting on Monday evening between the International Football Association and its European counterpart, Uefa, the following was announced:
Russia’s club and national teams are suspended from all international competitions.
“Football is completely united and in full solidarity with all affected people in Ukraine. “The presidents of Fifa and Eufa hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can once again contribute to unity and peace among the people,”
Fifa wrote in a press release.
It is a necessary decision and positive that Fifa has changed its view from yesterday. It is clear that there was a massive reaction from football Europe after their decision yesterday, it is of course positive that Fifa and Uefa have unanimously made this necessary decision for football given the situation prevailing in Ukraine, he says.
It is important that the football world agrees on this issue. I think this type of decision hurts more than you can imagine. This was the only way.
“An intensive dialogue”
The decision applies to all football, both club and national teams on both the men’s and women’s side, until further notice.
As I judge it, it means that Poland will move on from that match and the winner between the Sweden-Czech Republic will face Poland in a completely decisive match for the World Cup. We have had an intensive dialogue with our colleagues in Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as talks with Fifa and at the same time, an enormous number of colleagues around Europe have shown support for our position. It was massive support for this, Nilsson continues.
Uefa also announces that it is ending its cooperation with the Russian company Gazprom.
