TOPLINE
FIFA announced Sunday several measures against Russia’s national soccer team ahead of its World Cup qualifying playoff next month, though it has yet to confirm a complete ban of the team despite several European teams stating they refuse to play against the Russians—the latest complication resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the sports world.
KEY FACTS
FIFA condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine Sunday, stating in a release, “Violence is never a solution” before announcing it would hold no international competitions in Russia, forcing the team to play on neutral territories without spectators.
FIFA also said the Russian national team must play under the name “Football Union of Russia (RFU)” rather than “Russia,” and could not fly a Russian flag or play the Russian anthem at games.
The announcement comes as England said Sunday it would join Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic in refusing to play against the Russian national team to “whole-heartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership,” according to Reuters.
The NHL, which includes by far the most Russian and Ukrainian athletes of the four major U.S. sports leagues, has yet to release an official statement on the conflict, though several players have voiced their thoughts.
“Please, no more war,” Russian-born Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, said during a press conference Friday, adding that Putin is “my president” and the war is “a hard situation right now for both sides.”
In response to Ovechkin’s statement, Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek tweeted in outrage, calling him a “chicken shit” and referring to Putin as a “mad killer” before demanding the NHL suspend contracts for all Russian players.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions,” Hasek tweeted. “That is a fact. If the NHL does not [suspend contracts for all Russian players], it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.”
KEY BACKGROUND
On Friday, Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev wrote “No War Please” on a TV camera lens following a semifinal victory in Dubai. On Thursday, Ukrainian NBA players Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk released a joint statement on the invasion, calling it a “great tragedy.” Len’s Sacramento Kings and the opposing Indiana Pacers locked arms during a moment of silence before their game Thursday. Some American basketball players who play in Ukraine, including Michael Stockton—son of Hall of Fame Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton—fled the country before the invasion began, according to USA Today. On Friday, Formula 1 announced it would not hold the Russian Grand Prix, stating it hopes “for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.” A day prior, the International Olympic Committee condemned Russia’s invasion, deeming it a “breach of the Olympic Truce.” The broken agreement is non-binding, meaning Russian Olympic athletes won’t face consequences. Earlier in the week, various sports teams in Europe and the U.S. cut ties with Russian sponsors in an effort to distance themselves from the conflict.
SURPRISING FACT
The International Judo Federation announced Sunday it would be suspending Putin as its honorary president and ambassador in light of Russia’s invasion. Putin is a black belt, and has co-written a book titled, “Judo: History, Theory, Practice.”
By Mason Bissada, Forbes Staff