UPDATE: Russian club, Spartak Moscow to be Deleted from Europa League by UEFA after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
UEFA is set to remove Spartak Moscow from this season’s Europa League in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…
The Russian side were set to play RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled to be played on March 17. No official confirmation has been made by UEFA.
Discussions are ongoing about whether RB Leipzig will get a bye through to the quarter-finals, or whether another team will be re-instated to play them.
A statement from RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said: “We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in UEFA and their decision. We assume the games will be cancelled.”
Spartak progressed to the knockout stages after winning Group C, which also included Leicester.
They lost 4-3 at home to the Foxes – with Patson Daka scoring all of the Premier League side’s goals – before drawing 1-1 at the King Power Stadium.
UEFA is trying to organise an emergency Executive Committee meeting for Tuesday. The move comes as more and more European associations are announcing they will not play Russia.
Spartak Moscow removed from Europa League amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
Spartak reached the last-16 after finishing top of Group C, which contained Premier League side Leicester City.
The move comes after FIFA initially opted against suspending the Russia national team from fixtures, having previously only ordered restrictions including no fans or flags allowed, nor the playing of their national anthem.
FIFA’s initial decision was slammed but they have now announced a complete ban, essentially ending Russia’s involvement in the World Cup.
Poland were scheduled to face Russia in a play-off for a place at the 2022 World Cup but had reiterated their stance that they had no intentions of playing the fixture.
Reacting to FIFA’s original decision on Sunday, president of the Polish FA, Cezary Kulesza, said: “FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances.