Leipzig (AP) – Bundesliga club RB Leipzig is early in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. The world football association FIFA and the European football union UEFA suspended Russia from all competitions on Monday because of the invasion of Ukraine.
This applies to both Russian clubs and national teams. This means that the round of 16 games between Leipzig and Spartak Moscow scheduled for March will not take place. According to the relevant UEFA regulations, RB is automatically one round ahead.
In addition, UEFA announced that it would end its cooperation with the Russian sponsor Gazprom with immediate effect. The decision affects all existing contracts, including the Champions League, national team competitions and EURO 2024 in Germany.
DFB and DFL support decision
The DFB and the DFL support the decision. “Anyone who uses violence, who violates people and human rights, who wages war, leaves the community of sport with their citizens,” said a reaction from the German Football Association.
The German Football League quoted managing director Donata Hopfen. “An international competition involving Russian teams is unimaginable in the current situation, while Russia is attacking Ukraine and innocent people are fearing for their lives and their homeland,” she said. Even if the decision affects Russian athletes, clubs and fans who are not responsible for the current situation, “this step is currently unavoidable,” emphasized Hopfen.
Football “united and in full solidarity”
The decisions were the logical consequence after the International Olympic Committee had previously recommended all world federations and organizers of sporting events not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to take part in international competitions. The decision of the two football associations also sealed the elimination of the Russian team in the World Cup elimination for Qatar.
“Football is united here and in full solidarity with all affected people in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly, so that football can again be a factor for unity and peace between people “said the joint statement from FIFA and UEFA.
RB coach Tedesco in a conflict of feelings
RB Leipzig was drawn against Spartak Moscow last Friday. After that, the Saxon Bundesliga side would have home advantage on March 10th, the second leg was to be played on March 17th on neutral ground. As a result, consultations between RB and UEFA and other bodies involved began. RB CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had said they had complete trust in UEFA and their decision, emphasizing: “We assume that the games will be canceled.” Especially since a trip from Spartak to Leipzig and another neutral venue would have been difficult for logistical reasons because of the blocking of European airspace for Russian aircraft.
Before the UEFA decision, RB coach Domenico Tedesco was in a conflict of feelings. The German-Italian trained Spartak until May last year and was looking forward to the duels. That’s why he was critical of a unilateral Leipzig boycott of the game. “When the question of a boycott comes up: In my opinion, it always affects the wrong people. It primarily affects the athletes and the fans. I would have liked a different framework for this game. The current situation is bad. For me it is There was no solution in any situation,” said Tedesco.