FIFA set to expel Russia from World Cup over invasion of Ukraine

Russia are set to be expelled from the World Cup over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The PA news agency understands the game’s global governing body FIFA is in advanced talks to suspend the Russian Football Union.

It is working closely with European confederation UEFA, and it is expected a joint statement confirming the RFU’s suspension could come later on Monday.

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The suspension would mean that, barring an unlikely change of course in the Russian invasion, the country would not be able to face Poland in a World Cup play-off semi-final next month.

The International Olympic Committee issued a recommendation to international sports federations earlier on Monday to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and teams from international competitions wherever possible.

Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to compete in international events amid the invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee’s executive board has advised.

A statement published on Monday afternoon recommended such athletes and officials should be barred by international sports federations and event organisers “in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants”.

It added that wherever this was not possible for organisational or legal reasons, such athletes should not compete under the name Russia or Belarus and should be classed as neutrals.

The statement added: “Wherever, in very extreme circumstances, even this is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB leaves it to the relevant organisation to find its own way to effectively address the dilemma described above.

“In this context, the IOC EB considered in particular the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and reiterated its full support for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Games.”

It is understood UEFA’s ruling executive committee is meeting again on Monday evening to hold further discussions on the Russian invasion, which may look at Spartak Moscow’s participation in the Europa League, Russia’s involvement in the Women’s Euro this summer and also its sponsorship deal with Russian energy firm Gazprom.