The Russian team was drawn to play RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled for March 17.
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In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UEFA reportedly intends to ban Spartak Moscow from this season’s Europa League as per Sky Sports. The Russian team was drawn to play RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled for March 17. UEFA has not issued an official confirmation. The question of whether RB Leipzig will get a bye to the quarter-finals or whether another team will be re-instated to play them is still being debated.
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.”
Read More – FIFA says Russia must play as ‘Football Union of Russia’ in neutral site
Spartak won Group C, which included Leicester, and advanced to the knockout stages. They were defeated 4-3 at home by Leicester City before drawing 1-1 at the King Power Stadium. UEFA is attempting to schedule an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee for Tuesday. The move comes as an increasing number of European associations announce that they will not play Russia.
Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA, is a member of the FIFA Council’s seven-member bureau, which decided on Sunday to refrain from suspending Russia. The meeting on Tuesday will also provide an update on UEFA’s efforts to exit its sponsorship agreement with the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom.
The English FA previously stated that they will not play Russia under any circumstances, including a new name suggested by FIFA. It suggests that England will refuse to play Russia in both the World Cup in Qatar and the Women’s Euros this summer if the teams are drawn against each other.
The decision was made “out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership”, as per the English FA. The Football Associations of Wales, Ireland and Scotland have also released similar statements, expressing their solidarity with Ukraine and stating their intent to not play against Russia under any guise.
