Should Russia be excluded from sporting competitions such as the World Cup?

[D365]

Looks like an upgrade in stance from FIFA, by suspending Russia until further notice, which comes alongside the IOC recommending that Russian and Belorussian athletes are banned from participating in any competitions:

Appears to be confirmed now.

 

[43096]

Appears to be confirmed now.

In addition UEFA have ended their sponsorship with Gazprom and Spartak Moscow (the only Russian club left in European club competition) have been thrown out of the Europa League.

 

[Loppylugs]

Will be interesting to see if the ROC are represented in the skiing world championships beginning in Finland on Thursday.

 

[adrock1976]

To answer the question of the thread title: Yes, as Putin/the Russian Government have contravened international law.

Also, going down this route, Israel and Saudi Arabia should also be banned from participating, due to the contraventions of international law and occupation of territories outwith what was agreed in 1967 (Israeli Government), and for the ongoing conflict in Yemen that is hardly ever mentioned in the news (Saudi Government).

There is a trade union led campaign ongoing for a while that calls for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions against the Israeli Government - similar to the boycott campaign against the South African Government during the Apartheid Era.

 

[nw1]

I think the people of Angola and Mozambique might have a different view of their nations recent history.

And that's before we consider apartheid. Granted, the government of South Africa under apartheid was not quite as bad as that of Putin, but pretty appalling all the same. I don't think it's right to dismiss those who wanted sanctions against apartheid South Africa as those "on the left".

 

[johncrossley]

Russia are now bidding against the UK and Ireland for Euro 2028. At least we know that the Russians think there will still be a civilization in 2028. So they aren't planning nuclear war with the west.

 

[Falcon1200]

Hopefully Russia's bid will immediately be thrown out by UEFA. I won't hold my breath......

 

[adrock1976]

Hopefully Russia's bid will immediately be thrown out by UEFA. I won't hold my breath......

There may still be hope being as Sepp Blatter was eventually forced to retire after one corruption too many.

Also, I recall Blatter having made sexist comments in relation to the women's game too.

 

[johncrossley]

Can Russians banned from Wimbledon acquire another nationality so they can play? Just like Zola Budd did in athletics.

 

[brad465]

The ATP have decided that Wimbledon won't be allowed to award ranking points due to the decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus:

Wimbledon: ATP & WTA strip ranking points from Grand Slam over ban for Russians and Belarusians

Players will not receive ranking points at Wimbledon following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from the tournament.

www.bbc.co.uk

Players will not receive ranking points at Wimbledon following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian competitors from the tournament.

Players from the countries have been banned by the All England Lawn Tennis Club from all UK grass-court events after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
However, events outside Wimbledon, such as Queen's and Eastbourne, will retain their ranking points.

"It is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option," said the ATP.

The WTA said it was a "difficult decision".

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will not grant ranking points in the junior and wheelchair events at Wimbledon, which starts on 27 June.

"The stance we are taking is about protecting the equal opportunities that WTA players should have to compete as individuals," added the WTA, the women's governing body.

"If we do not take this stance, then we abandon our fundamental principle and allow the WTA to become an example to support discrimination based on nationality at other events and in other regions around the world."

The ATP decision means Serbia's Novak Djokovic - the defending men's champion - will lose his status as the world number one.

Djokovic, a six-time champion at the All England Club, will be unable to retain the 2,000 ranking points he earned by winning the title last year and is only 680 ahead of nearest rival Daniil Medvedev.

Announcing the move, the ATP said: "Unilateral decisions of this nature [by Wimbledon], if unaddressed, set a damaging precedent for the rest of the tour.

"Discrimination by individual tournaments is simply not viable on a tour that operates in more than 30 countries."

It added: "We remain hopeful of further discussions with Wimbledon leading to an acceptable outcome for all concerned."

UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries wrote to ATP and WTA bosses earlier this week urging them not to "penalise the AELTC" and said it would send a "completely wrong message to both Putin and the people of Ukraine".

 

[Falcon1200]

That is a pity, but Wimbledon were absolutely right to do what they did, and other tournaments should follow suit. Of course it is unfair on the individual players excluded through no direct fault of their own, but it is also unfair that a country has been invaded and its citizens and infrastructure destroyed. Banning them sends, in a small way, a message to the invader and their people.

 

[Loppylugs]

That is a pity, but Wimbledon were absolutely right to do what they did, and other tournaments should follow suit. Of course it is unfair on the individual players excluded through no direct fault of their own, but it is also unfair that a country has been invaded and its citizens and infrastructure destroyed. Banning them sends, in a small way, a message to the invader and their people.

Absolutely agree. For all we know, some of their prize money may well end up in Putin's coffers.

 

[AlterEgo]

Was there a similar outcry when there were sanctions against South Africa?