War in Ukraine update on sanctions against Russia and Belarus

War in Ukraine: update on sanctions against Russia and Belarus in the world of sport

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a wave of international reactions. From supporting athletes to reprisals from the authorities, the world of sport has also been turned upside down. In view of the seriousness of the situation, many international associations reacted and imposed sanctions on the representatives of Russia, but also of Belarus.

Football: Fifa and UEFA hit hard

In early May, UEFA tightened its sanctions against Russian football. The women’s selection cannot take part in Euro 2022, which is scheduled for July in England. The ban of clubs from European competitions is extended to the 2022-2023 season, stripping Zenith of the Champions League and Spartak of the Europa League. Russia will be definitively excluded from hosting either Euro 2028 or 2032, for which it applied.

Fifa had already decided in March to exclude the Russian selection from the next World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year. Russian clubs had suffered the same fate for the European competitions in which they were involved. UEFA had also made the decision to move the Champions League final scheduled for Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France.

Tennis: Russians and Belarusians are allowed to play on the ATP and WTA circuits but are barred from Wimbledon

Belarusian and Russian players can continue to play on the ATP and WTA circuits, as well as in the Grand Slams “for the time being”. But they will not play under their country’s colors and name “until further notice”. On the other hand, they were banned from participating in Wimbledon in July due to a very controversial decision by the organization of the English tournament in mid-April.

Russia was also unable to defend its titles in the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup, from which it was excluded. A decision that also applied to Belarus. The ATP and WTA tournaments scheduled for October in Moscow were also suspended.

Basketball: Russian clubs banned from Euroleague and Eurocup, teams banned from FIBA ​​competitions

The Euroleague has suspended the three Russian clubs involved in its competition. With the plain and simple cancellation of all games that are still outstanding, but also all games that have already been played, for reasons of sporting fairness. Russian clubs are also excluded from the Eurocup, the second European level managed by the same company as the Euroleague.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) then announced that Russian teams and game officials would no longer be allowed to participate in its competitions (including 3×3). Russia was instrumental in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.

Formula 1: The Sochi Grand Prix is ​​deprogrammed, the drivers are allowed to race under a neutral flag

The organizer of the Formula 1 World Championship announced at the beginning of March that it would finally terminate its contract with the organizer of the Russian Grand Prix after the Russian army invaded Ukraine. Russian pilots were allowed to race under a neutral flag and with certain restrictions (no symbols, colors, flags in public and on social networks).

Cycling: Russian and Belarusian teams are excluded from the international calendar by the UCI

Measures taken by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in response to the situation in Ukraine include the suspension of Russian and Belarusian national teams and selections from all events on the international calendar. A total of six teams (three Russians, three Belarusians) were stripped of their UCI status. The Gazprom-Rusvelo team, the spearhead of Russian cycling, winners of the UAE Tour, will not be able to participate in races until further notice.

Rugby: Russia and Belarus suspended until further notice

Russia and Belarus were banned from participating in international rugby “until further notice” by World Rugby on Tuesday. The Executive Committee of the international federation has decided “the full and immediate suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border rugby club activities until further notice” and “the full and immediate suspension of the Russian Rugby Union from its status” until further notice further as a member of World Rugby,” the statement said.

Volleyball: no world championship in Russia and exclusion of Russian and Belarusian players, clubs, national teams in Europe

The International Volleyball Federation decided in early March to withdraw the organization of the 2022 World Cup (August-September) from Russia. The competition will eventually take place in Poland and Slovenia.

As a result, the European Volleyball Federation decided to exclude Russian and Belarusian teams, clubs, players and officials from all volleyball, beach volleyball and snow volleyball competitions. In addition, all members of the two national federations have been suspended from their European functions.

Athletics: Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from competitions

World Athletics, the international athletics federation, announced in early March that Russian and Belarusian athletes will be banned from all future competitions for the foreseeable future and with immediate effect from this date. “They will therefore not be able to take part in the next World Championships. out in Eugene, Oregon in July.

Handball: Russian and Belarusian clubs and selections suspended

In early March, the European Handball Federation excluded Belarusian and Russian clubs from the Champions League and the European League. The selection of the two countries was also suspended.

Ice hockey: International association participates in “international sporting pressure”

Both the Olympic champions from PyeongChang 2018 and the Olympic runners-up from Beijing 2022 will not be able to participate in the next World Championships. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) made the decision on Monday to suspend the Russian and Belarusian national teams, following recommendations from the IOC. IIHF President Luc Tardif told franceinfo that sport wanted to participate in “international sporting pressure”.

Biathlon: Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from competitions ‘until further notice’

Russian and Belarusian biathletes are now not allowed to take part in international competitions “until further notice”. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has yet to meet to decide on a possible suspension of the two national federations.