The Russian Federation responds to FIFA and UEFA: “A discriminatory decision”

The Russian Football Federation (RFU) has responded to the decision of FIFA and UEFA to ban the international teams of Russia from playing the World Cup playoffs in Qatar as well as the women’s European Championship this summer. For the RFU, the “decision is discriminatory and contrary to sportsmanship”. And they even reserve “the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law.”

This is the full statement made public by the Russian Football Federation: “The Russian Football Union categorically disagrees with the decision by FIFA and UEFA to ban all Russian teams from participating in international matches indefinitely. We believe that this decision is contrary to the rules and principles of international competition, as well as the spirit of sportsmanship. It is clearly discriminatory and harms a large number of athletes, coaches, employees of clubs and national teams, and, most importantly, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests international sports organizations must protect in the first place. Such actions are dividing the global sports community, which has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and political independence. We reserve the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law.“.