Spartak Moscow moan UEFA’s decision to ban Russian club is "very upsetting"

Spartak Moscow have slammed UEFA’s decision to remove them from the Europa League due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian side stressed that they disagree with the European governing body’s decision and find it “very upsetting”, albeit predictable.

It comes following the decision across various sports to ban Russian teams and athletes in light of the Vladimir Putin's senseless invasion of Ukraine.

And despite Spartak winning their Europa League group stage ahead of Napoli, Leicester City and Legia Warsaw, they will no longer be playing their last-16 knockout ties which were set to take place in a month’s time.

Spartak criticised the decision on Monday, claiming UEFA were “burning bridges” rather than building them at a difficult time.

The statement read: "UEFA and FIFA have decided to exclude from the current iteration of the Europa League. This means that our round of 16 ties against RB Leipzig will not go ahead as planned.

"This verdict is connected to the organisations' position on recent events that have taken place in Ukraine.

"The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports.

Do you think agree with UEFA's decision to kick Spartak out of the Europa League? Let us know in the comments section.

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"Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together.

"We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with.

"For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs."

RB Leipzig, who were originally set to face Spartak, will instead get a bye into the quarter-finals.

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