FIFA sanctions Russia, but it’s not enough for some countries

UPDATE: FIFA has banned Russia from the World Cup until further notice.

FIFA levied penalties against Russia’s soccer team, but stopped short of suspending the country ahead of their World Cup qualifying playoff. Here’s why some say it doesn’t go far enough. 

FIFA has opted not boot Russia from this month’s World Cup qualifying playoffs following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine last week, but instead decided the national team can play under the soccer federation’s name.

The decision by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, which includes the six regional confederation presidents, agreed on Sunday that Russia would be referred to as the “Russian Football Union.” The team would also not be allowed to use its flag and anthem ahead of games. In addition, any of Russia’s home matches would need to be contested on neutral soil.

FIFA’s decision mirrors the one by the International Olympic Committee to have Russian athletes participate at the recent Beijing Winter Games as members of the “Russian Olympic Committee” as punishment for a doping program.

Russia, who hosted the men’s World Cup in 2018, launched an invasion of neighboring Ukraine last Thursday.

“FIFA calls again for the urgent restoration of peace and for constructive dialogue to commence immediately,” FIFA said in a statement. “FIFA remains in close contact with the Ukrainian Association of Football and members of the Ukrainian football community who have been requesting support to leave the country for as long as the current conflict persists.”

U.S., Poland won’t play against Russia

Poland, Russia’s opponent on March 24, said FIFA’s decision did not go for enough. The winner of the Poland versus Russia playoff would host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 to decide who advances to the 2022 World Cup finals.

“The Polish Football Association inform that as a result of the brutal aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the war that continues there, we do not see any possibility of competing with the Russian national team in play-off matches for promotion to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 regardless of the name of the team consisting of Russian footballers and the place of the match,” Poland’s FA said in a letter to FIFA.

The Czech Republic and Sweden also joined Poland in rejecting FIFA’s decision not to oust Russia from the World Cup.

US Soccer joined in that growing chorus with a statement of its own on Monday saying they would not play Russia.

There is precedent to FIFA banning teams in the past. In 1992, both FIFA and UEFA removed Yugoslavia from its competitions, including the European Championship that year, following UN sanctions imposed after war broke out in the Balkans.