Spartak Moscow to be removed from Europa League by UEFA after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine | Football News

UEFA is planning to remove Spartak Moscow from this season’s Europa League in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian side have been drawn to play RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled to be played on March 17.

No official confirmation has been made by UEFA, but Sky in Germany are reporting Spartak’s upcoming European fixtures will be cancelled.

A statement from RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said: “We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in UEFA and their decision. We assume the games will be cancelled.”

Spartak progressed to the knockout stages after winning Group C, which also included Leicester.

They lost 4-3 at home to the Foxes – with Patson Daka scoring all of the Premier League side’s goals – before drawing 1-1 at the King Power Stadium.

England, Scotland, Wales refuse to play Russia | FIFA yet to issue ban

England, Scotland and Wales will not play Russia in football matches at any level “for the foreseeable future”, including any team recognised as the ‘Football Union of Russia’.

The decision has been made “out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership”, the English FA said in a statement.

This also includes playing against any side under the guise of ‘Football Union of Russia’, after FIFA set out a series of measures in response to the ongoing crisis.

It indicates England will refuse to play Russia in both the World Cup in Qatar and the Women’s Euros this summer, should the sides be drawn against each other.

The Football Association of Wales said it “stands in solidarity with Ukraine and feels an extreme amount of sadness and shock to the recent developments in the country”.

The Scottish Football Association has confirmed Scotland will not play any fixtures against Russia for the foreseeable future.

Scottish FA president Rob Petrie has also offered to help the Ukraine national team prepare for the World Cup play-off at Hampden Park on March 24.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday it was “inconceivable” normal sporting relations with Vladimir Putin’s Russia can continue following the invasion of Ukraine.

FIFA has also warned Russia they will be banned from all international football if the war does not stop.

Following a meeting of the FIFA Council on Sunday, it was confirmed:

• Russia cannot play any FIFA matches in Russia
• Russia cannot call itself Russia and will be called ‘Football Union of Russia’
• No flag or anthem of Russia will be used in matches where teams from the Football Union of Russia participate
• Next step is to ban Russia from competitions “should the situation not be improving rapidly”

A statement read: “FIFA will continue its ongoing dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.”