Deal with “Gazprom” is terminated
The world football association FIFA and the European football union UEFA suspended both the Russian national team and the Russian clubs from all international competitions because of the attack on Ukraine. This means that Bundesliga club RB Leipzig is also without a fight in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the round of 16 games between Leipzig and Spartak Moscow scheduled for March will not take place.
In addition, UEFA announced that it would end 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.
UEFA has today decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions.
The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.
— UEFA (@UEFA) February 28, 2022
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.
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“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 by FIFA and UEFA.
According to UEFA’s decision: no duel between Spartak and former coach Tedesco
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 said on Monday that 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 because of the Blocking European airspace for Russian aircraft would have been difficult for logistical reasons alone.
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 hits 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, war is not a solution in any situation,” said Tedesco.
FIFA and UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions.
Full statement:
— UEFA (@UEFA) February 28, 2022
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