UEFA bans Russian sides from European competitions, hosting bids amid Ukraine invasion

UEFA has suspended all Russian football teams from competing in next season’s European Champions League competition, the footballing body said late on Monday, in a move to further sanction the country as it continues its invasion of Ukraine.

UEFA previously suspended Russian representative teams in February "until further notice" but ultimately decided to bar them from taking part in the competition’s 2022/2023 season, as well as other competitions.

Russia will not participate in this summer's UEFA Women's EURO 2022.

Portugal, the opponent defeated by Russia in the qualifying play-offs, will now participate in Group C.

Additionally, Russian teams will not participate in UEFA club competitions next season.

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— UEFA (@UEFA) May 2, 2022

In a statement, the footballing body said the decisions were made to "ensure the [competitions’] smooth staging in a safe and secure environment for all those concerned".

The UEFA Executive Committee said that Russia will not be able to compete in other European competitions such as the Europa League and Youth league, among others.

The ban will also be extended to futsal competitions, as the sport also falls under the UEFA administrative body.

Meanwhile, Russia’s bids to host the Men’s European Championships in both 2028 and 2032 have also been rejected. The UK home nations and Ireland are looking to host the competition in a joint bid, rivalled by Turkey, which has also expressed interest in organising both tournaments.

Furthermore, the women’s team will be excluded from competing in this year’s European championships, and will be subsequently replaced by Portugal, which Russia previously defeated in the qualification rounds, according to The Guardian. The tournament will be hosted by England between July 6 and 31.

Football’s international governing body FIFA had already suspended the Russian team from taking part in the 2022 World Cup, due to take place in Qatar later this year.