FIFA and UEFA have announced that Russian clubs and the national team will be banned from participating in competitions run by the governing bodies, with European football’s governing body confirming that it has cut ties with sponsor Gazprom.
The moves come following pressure from a host of members including the English FA and less than 24 hours after FIFA initially said that it would allow a Russian representative to compete under various conditions.
Russia were meant to face Poland in a World Cup play-off in the end of March but it remains unclear if Poland, who led the calls for the country to be suspended, will be given a bye or another team will be given the place.
A joint statement from FIFA and UEFA read: “Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
The Russian Football Union was quick to respond, saying it will file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "We reserve the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law," it said.
UEFA’s deal with Gazprom, worth €40million (£33.5million) per season, has ended immediately. The state-owned energy corporation has been a leading sponsor of European football since 2012.
No Russian club remains in this season's Champions League but Spartak Moscow had been drawn to face RB Leipzig in the Europa League round of 16. It is unclear what would happen to the places earmarked for Russian club's in next season's competition.
Earlier on Monday the International Olympic Committee said it was banning Russia and its ally Belarus.
