UEFA order FIFA to kick Russia out of World Cup after invasion of Ukraine

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called on FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino to kick Russia out of the World Cup.

Ceferin held a video conference call with Infantino and told him he had no choice but to do the right thing and ban Russia from the competition, in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

UEFA have come down hard on Russia as a result of the Ukraine crisis, after stripping St Petersburg of hosting the Champions League Final and expelling Spartak Moscow from the Europa League.

European football's governing body are also poised to ditch their £50m sponsorship deal with main Champions League sponsors Gazprom, and will consider a request from England to ban Russia from taking part in the women's Euros it is hosting this summer.

Ceferin and Infantino are the two most powerful men in football and have a strained relationship.

Ceferin is said to be infuriated Infantino has not been tougher on Russia, after he them to complete upcoming games at neutral grounds under the title "Football Union of Russia", albeit without supporters, their flag and anthem.

Now he wants them both to join forces and send the most powerful message possible, by stripping Russia of the chance to win a place at Qatar 2022 this winter.

Russia are scheduled to face Poland in the play-offs this month, followed by a final meeting with the Czech Republic or Sweden should they win.

But all three nations are refusing to play them as the sporting world continues to turn Russia into pariahs.

The FA have made it clear no England team will face Russia for the foreseeable future following the Ukraine crisis – and want them thrown out of the tournament.

Russia are scheduled to face Sweden, Holland and Switzerland at Leigh Sports Village Stadium, but Switzerland and Sweden have already come out and said they will not play them.

The FAs of Scotland, Ireland and Wales have followed England and also confirmed its teams will not face Russia at any level until further notice.

Scotland are due to face Ukraine in a World Cup play-off this month and have offered unequivocal support to their opponents, while FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill said: "In light of the current situation, I can confirm that we will not consider any international fixture against any Russian side, no matter what the level, until further notice."

FC Schalke have ended their sponsorship deal with Gazprom and the International Olympic Committee has recommended Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be allowed to compete in future international events.

Meanwhile Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Powell, called on FIFA to be stronger and ban all Russia teams from major football tournaments, including Qatar 2022 this winter.

Powell said: "FIFA really need to step up here. Make it clear that Russia should be excluded from the World Cup – they cannot take part in that – and that should apply across all international sporting bodies.

"While they undertake such a barbaric and illegal invasion in Ukraine they will become the pariah state when it comes to sporting and cultural events."

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