Russia remain suspended from 2022 World Cup qualifying, court says

The Russian Football Union (RFU) has failed in a bid to stay the suspension of its national team from World Cup qualifying, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday.

The RFU had wanted a decision from the ruling body FIFA frozen until a full decision from CAS on its appeal against a FIFA suspension in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The CAS said: “The challenged decision remains in force and all Russian teams and clubs continue to be suspended from participation in FIFA competitions.”

Russia were originally due to host Poland in a play-off match next Thursday.

The winners are to advance into a deciding game for a place at the World Cup against Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29.

FIFA declared Poland winners by walk-over after Russia’s suspension.

Poland, Sweden and the Czechs said before the suspension they would refuse to play against Russia.

The CAS had earlier in the week also rejected a Russian appeal to stay a suspension of its national teams and clubs by the European body UEFA.

Germany’s RB Leipzig got a walk-over in the Europa League last 16 against Spartak Moscow.

Arbitration proceedings will now continue, but a date for a hearing is yet to be set while the CAS said that written submissions are being exchanged by the involved parties.

Russian athletes and those from Belarus have been banned from competing in many sports after the invasion. (dpa/NAN)