Mueez Ajao
– Russia have been barred from competing in this summer’s women’s Euro 2022, while Russian clubs will also be banned from Uefa competitions next season, says Europe’s football governing body.
– Uefa has announced that Russia’s bid to host the men’s Euro 2028 or Euro 2032 tournaments is now ineligible too.
– The sanctions come amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
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– In February, Russian clubs and national teams were suspended by Fifa and Uefa “until further notice”.
– On Monday, Uefa announced that Portugal – who lost to Russia in the play-offs – will replace them at Euro 2022, which takes place in July.
– Russia’s women’s national team will also no longer compete in European qualification for the 2023 World Cup, while the men’s side is barred from the 2022-23 Nations League.
– They will automatically be ranked fourth in group two of League B, meaning they will be relegated at the end of the group phase.
– The ban imposed on clubs means there will be no Russian teams in the men’s and women’s Champions League, Europa League, or Europa Conference League during the 2022-23 campaign.
– In March, Uefa confirmed Russia had declared an interest in hosting Euro 2028 – as well as the UK and Ireland, and Turkey – and the 2032 edition.
– UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Russia’s interest was “beyond satire” and “beyond comprehension”.
– Uefa said the bid was ineligible in accordance with article 16.02 of the Bid Regulations, which states that “each bidder shall ensure that it does not act in a manner that could bring Uefa, any other bidder, the bidding procedure or European football into disrepute”.
– Uefa’s latest sanctions also ban Russia from the 2021-23 European Under-21 Championship, as well as youth and futsal competitions.
– An updated qualifying process for the Champions League has been published, which shows benefits for Scottish teams.
– The Premiership champions will go directly into the competition’s group stages, while the second-placed side will now go into the third round of qualifying rather than the second.
