FIFA bans home matches in Russia, flag or anthem for team

No international football matches will be played in Russia and the nation’s banner and national anthem will be prohibited from any of their matches abroad, administering body FIFA said on Sunday as it reported various sanctions following Russia’s attack of Ukraine.

FIFA said the national team wouldn’t contend as Russia however as the Football Union of Russia and any games would be held without any fans on “neutral territory”.

These come after scores of sports alliances and clubs dropped rivalries in Russia or have wouldn’t confront Russian teams in dissent of the invasion.

The Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden said their public groups wouldn’t challenge World Cup qualifiers against Russia one month from now. Britain’s Football Association additionally said its national team wouldn’t play any matches against Russia “for the foreseeable future”.

“First and foremost, FIFA would like to reiterate its condemnation of the use of force by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine,” FIFA said in a statement.

The International Olympic Committee prodded international sports federations to one or the other move or drop events arranged in Russia or Belarus. Russian soldiers entered Ukraine through Belarus when the invasion started on Thursday.

FIFA said it would attempt to track down an answer with the three nations Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic engaged with the World Cup qualifiers.

“(FIFA) has already engaged in dialogue with all of these football associations. FIFA will remain in close contact to seek to find appropriate and acceptable solutions together.”