Ukraine crisis: Russia to appeal against football ban imposed by Fifa and Uefa

Ukraine crisis: Russia to appeal against football ban imposed by Fifa and Uefa
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The Russian Football Union said it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to appeal against its ban from international competitions after the country's invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, Russian football clubs and national teams were suspended from all competition "until further notice" by Fifa and Uefa.

The union said it would file one lawsuit against football's world and European governing bodies, demanding Russia's men's and women's national teams be allowed to compete.

Russia wants its national teams reinstated to play their men's World Cup play-off matches next month and the women's team once again included in this summer's Euro 2022 competition in England.

Russian club Spartak Moscow were also kicked out of the Europa League and their last-16 opponents RB Leipzig will advance to the quarter-finals.

A statement from Russian football authorities said it "believes that Fifa and Uefa did not have a legal basis when deciding on the removal of Russian teams".

"The Russian Football Union was also not given the right to present its position, which violated the fundamental right to defence," the statement continued.

"In addition, when making decisions, Fifa and Uefa did not take into account other possible options for action, except for the complete exclusion of participants from the competition from Russia."

Fifa and Uefa intervened after Russia, supported by Belarus, launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday.

Russia says they "will insist on an expedited procedure for considering the case" and said they could motion for the suspension of competitions they were originally scheduled to compete in if refused.

More to follow.

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