Russian Football Union to appeal against World Cup ban

The Russian Football Union will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the hope of being able to compete in March’s World Cup play-offs

The Russian Football Union has confirmed that it will appeal Fifa and Uefa’s decision to ban the country’s national teams and clubs from international competitions following the invasion of Ukraine.

The ruling effectively eliminated the Russian men’s team from qualifying for the Qatar World Cup and banned the women’s team from competing in the European Championships in England this summer.

But the RFU stated on Thursday that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland as part of a single lawsuit against both Fifa and Uefa - and will also seek “compensation for damage, if its presence is established”.

The statement from the RFU indicated their desire for the appeal to be heard before the World Cup play-offs later this month. Russia were scheduled to play Poland in the semi-finals on March 24 before the winner faces either Sweden or Czech Republic for a place in Qatar.

All three teams refused to play Russia in the World Cup play-offs, increasing the pressure on Fifa to ban the country from international competition while the invasion of Ukraine continues.

However, the RFU said there was no “no legal basis” when deciding on the suspension of the Russian teams. The statement read: “It violated the fundamental rights of the RFU as a member of Fifa and Uefa, including the right to take part in competitions.

“In addition, the decision to withdraw the national team from qualification for the 2022 World Cup was made under pressure from direct rivals in the play-offs, which violated the sporting principle and the rules of fair play.

“The Russian Football Union was also not granted the right to present its position, which violated the fundamental right to defence.”

Spartak Moscow have also been removed from the Europa League, where they were drawn to face RB Leipzig in the round of 16.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has refused to be drawn on when, or under what circumstances, the ban imposed by his organisation might end.

Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, the 54-year-old: said: “It is impossible to say.

“At this moment our decision was the only right decision, it was a unanimous decision from the executive committee of UEFA. What will happen tomorrow, nobody knows.

“I cannot give you an answer to this question. For now it stays like that and we are waiting for peace to come. Football will be the least important thing then.”

Ceferin revealed that he has personally been involved in efforts, along with other football associations, to get players out of Ukraine without government assistance.

He said: “I was on the phone for 48 hours with players and coaches, foreign players and coaches, to help them to leave Ukraine during the war.

“We spoke 24 hours a day and I asked all the governments for help, but nobody could help because nobody could guarantee safety.

“Everyone said they should stay there because that’s the safest thing to do, and I in a way understand the governments because it is hard for them to take the responsibility, but we had to do it, together with the football association of Ukraine and all the neighbouring football associations.

“This is bigger than football and I am proud of the football family that the football family stood together and we helped as much as we could.

“We are all just hoping and praying the war stops. This madness should stop as soon as possible.”

Uefa also announced on Thursday that the Belarus national team and the country’s clubs must play home matches at neutral venues, and behind closed doors, in its competitions.

Additional reporting by PA