Sanctions are raining down on Russia. They have been falling like hail since the decision of the Moscow regime to invade Ukraine. Already suspended for two years from the Olympic movement, the country is now cut off from the international sports movement.
The IOC has shown the way. For the occasion, the Olympic body abandoned its sacrosanct political neutrality to call, as of last Friday, the international federations to cancel or relocate any event planned in Russia or Belarus. She also requested that the flags of these two countries not be raised and that their anthems not be played in international competitions.
Since then, the sports movement has united to relay the IOC's call and isolate the Russian regime. One by one, the authorities announced their sanctions. They often turn out to be very radical.
UEFA was one of the first to respond. Meeting urgently, its executive committee confirmed the announcement of a withdrawal to St. Petersburg from the Champions League final. It is relocated to Paris, and will take place at the Stade de France. But the question of its partnership with Gazprom has not yet been decided by UEFA. It is on the agenda for a new meeting of the executive committee, scheduled for this week.
Less radical, FIFA required Russia to play its matches under a neutral banner, under the name of the Russian Football Federation, and to play its home matches outside the country. A minimum. But the body chaired by Gianni Infantino could quickly be forced to go further. Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, assured or potential opponents of Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-off, have indicated that they will not meet the Russian team, even on neutral ground. “ It doesn't matter what the team is called“, insisted the Polish Football Federation.
FIFA has not yet decided on the question of a possible exclusion of Russia from the 2022 World Cup. But nothing is impossible. The authority explains that a “ potential exclusion from competitions will be applied in the near future if the situation does not improve quickly..
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced the cancellation of all its competitions in Russia by the end of the season, “ in the interest of the safety of all participants"
The International Biathlon Federation (IBU) was also quick to respond to the IOC’s call. She decided to ban Russian and Belarusian anthems and flags from World Cup events. In these same competitions, the Ukrainian flag will be systematically raised, even in the absence of its athletes, who are forced to withdraw for the end of the season.
In fencing, the solidarity movement with Ukraine was initiated by the athletes themselves. Ukrainian fencers have decided to withdraw from the Foil Team World Cup in Cairo, Sunday February 27, before facing the Russians. They held up signs reading, written in English: “Stop Russia! Stop the war! » ; “Save Ukraine! Save Europe. »
The International Fencing Federation (FIE), for its part, has not yet announced direct sanctions against Russia. And for good reason, since it is chaired by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, close to Vladimir Putin. His presence at the head of the body could quickly become embarrassing for the world of fencing.
Another body chaired by a Russian: the IBA. The International Boxing Federation, led since last year by Umar Kremlev, is also moving cautiously in the area of sanctions. She limited herself to announcing that she “ was considering rescheduling the Global Boxing Cup, which was to be held in June 2022 in Russia. » The matter will be considered by the IBA Board of Directors at its next meeting.
The International Shooting Federation (ISSF) is also chaired by a Russian, Vladimir Lisin. But she has already decided to withdraw Moscow from hosting the 2022 European Championships. They are to be held in August. The body also announces that it could do the same for the 2023 Worlds, also scheduled for Moscow, if the situation does not improve.
Wait-and-see attitude, on the other hand, at the FIVB. Certainly, the world volleyball body has decided to withdraw from Russia the organization of matches in the group stage of the Nations League. This decision concerns the women's competitions, initially scheduled in Ufa from June 28 to July 3, and the men's competitions in Kemerovo from July 5 to 10.
But the FIVB has not yet canceled or moved the Men's World Cup, which is to be held in Russia from August 26 to September 11, 2022. The tournament, however, seems very threatened. France, Olympic champion in Tokyo, announced through its federation (FFVB) that its team would not participate in the World Cup if it was held in Russia.
FINA has already revised its international calendar. The swimming body announces that the Men's World Water Polo League match between Russia and Greece on March 8 will no longer take place as planned in Saint Petersburg. The world series of artistic swimming and diving, scheduled for Kazan from April 8 to 10, is canceled. Same scenario for the junior world swimming championships (August 23 to 28), also canceled.
In recent hours, Russia has also lost the hosting of the World Junior Squash Championships, which were to be held from August 9 to 20, 2022 in St. Petersburg. They will be relocated. It could also soon see its three events removed from the international calendar of the ICF, the world body for canoeing.
Also canceled is the next edition of SportAccord. It was to be held from May 15 to 20, 2022 in Ekaterinburg. The SportAccord executive committee unanimously decided to remove it from the calendar, without announcing a plan B.
