CAS renders official verdict on whether FIFA legally suspended the Russian national football team

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal of the Russian Football Union (RFU) against the decision of the International Football Federation (FIFA). On March 8, the Russian national team was suspended from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup due to the war in Ukraine.

The CAS ruled that FIFA had acted in the right way following the appeal.

"The impugned decision was reasonable, proportionate and arguably necessary to ensure safe, secure and orderly international participation for the rest of the world," the verdict reads.

The document clarifies that the decision to ban the Russian national team does not violate the FIFA statutes or Swiss law and is not an unlawful use of FIFA's powers.

"Unfortunately, FIFA has been forced to make a decision for which the Russian Federation, Russian football teams, clubs and players bear no responsibility, but which has had and will almost certainly continue to have a negative impact on them and on Russian football in general," the text says.

Following Russia's treacherous attack on Ukraine on February 24, the national teams of Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden wrote a joint letter to FIFA demanding that Russia be excluded from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

A few days later, FIFA tried to get off with minor sanctions, depriving the Russian national team of its flag and anthem. The Russian team was also allowed to play its home matches only on neutral fields and without spectators.

On February 28, Russian clubs and the Russian national team were suspended from all competitions under the auspices of FIFA and UEFA because of the invasion of Ukraine.

This decision caused a real shock among Russian football fans.

Fans are furious at the actions of their president, who unleashed a war in Ukraine that has led to the harshest sanctions from around the world.

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