Sports sanctions against Russia are exemplary, but not unprecedented

The decision of the FIFA and the UEFA This Monday’s suspension of all Russian national teams and clubs to participate in competitions of both federations is exemplary, but not unprecedented in the sports field.

The precedent for a similar sanction occurred on October 1, 1992, when FIFA announced the expulsion from Yugoslavia of the qualifying round for the 1994 World Cup as a consequence of the sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro imposed by the HIM-HER-IT due to the conflict of Balkans and that he had already left him out of the Euro 92in which Denmark, which took its place, was proclaimed champion.

The lifting of the sanctions was decreed at the beginning of October 1994 and their imposition was part of a draconian embargo, which is still in force, to punish Belgrade for his support of the Bosnian Serb war against the Muslim-Croat majority.

He was also away from world football Iraq since December 1990 as a result of the invasion of Kuwait, and that he was allowed to return in August 1993.

This country was once again suspended by the WATCH from May 2003 to February 2004. It affected football above all, after its national Olympic committee, chaired by Odai Saddam, son of the then president Sadam Houseinwas investigated by this international organization.

In April 1999 the European Union proposed to the sports federations that they penalize the Yugoslav national teams and prevent them from participating in championships, as a punishment for Yugoslavia for the conflict of Kosovo.

Other atypical cases of suspension of the highest governing body of world football was Albaniawhich in September 1990 was sanctioned to participate in two editions of the European Championship of nations, in the youth category, for refusing to play a match against Israelvalid for the classification of the Euro 1992.

Apart from these actions, it is common for the FIFA decide to suspend some countries for the interference of their governments in their national internal functioning. The latest examples have been Kenya and Zimbabwe last February 26.

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