Berlin (dpa) – The deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee, the CSU politician Thomas Erndl, called for a general sports boycott for Russia after the attack on Ukraine.
“It is clear to me that Russian teams are no longer allowed to take part in international competitions as long as there is aggression in Ukraine. All sports associations must take a clear stance,” Erndl told the “Welt”. “Russian clubs must remain excluded from these competitions,” said the 47-year-old.
So far, only sporting events in Russia have been canceled by the international associations. Among other things, the Champions League final on May 28 was moved from St. Petersburg to Paris. The Formula 1 race in Sochi was canceled entirely. As a reaction to the war in Ukraine, the World Ski Association Fis canceled all outstanding World Cups in Russia this winter. However, FIS has also clarified that Russian athletes are still allowed to compete in all competitions under the Russian flag. However, neither the Russian anthem would be played nor the national flag would be hoisted at the ceremonies.
In football, for example, the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig has to play against Spartak Moscow in the round of 16 of the Europa League. The first leg kicks off at the Red Bull Arena on March 10, with the second leg taking place on neutral ground a week later. UEFA had already decided that before the draw. It’s the same in handball and basketball.
Football professional Yussuf Poulsen from RB Leipzig said about a possible boycott of games against teams from Russia: “They have qualified in sporting terms. As long as UEFA doesn’t decide otherwise and we play on a different (neutral) pitch, that’s just the way it is. ” Poulsen also emphasized that as footballers they are not different people and that they perceive and sympathize with what is happening in Ukraine just like everyone else.