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A request from Russia to freeze the ban on its football team in FIFA competitions has been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAS issued a similar announcement on Tuesday regarding UEFA matches, and this latest decision almost confirms that Russia will not be part of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with their qualifying play-off semi-final to be played next Thursday.
Russia had been scheduled to face Poland, but FIFA instead gave their opponents a farewell to the final on their play-off route.
Poland will now play against either Sweden or the Czech Republic – where the semi-final on March 24 will still go on – for a place in Qatar 2022.
Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic each announced that they would refuse to play against Russia due to the ongoing events in Ukraine.
The Russian Football Federation lodged an appeal with the CAS after its clubs and national teams had been excluded from all FIFA and UEFA competitions “so far”.
The joint decision by FIFA and UEFA followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago.
Russia “categorically disagreed” with the ban and filed its appeal, while seeking an initial postponement of execution.
However, the CAS confirmed on Friday that it had rejected that request, confirming that “the contested decision remains in force” during the proceedings.
A press release from the CAS read: “The President of the Appeals Arbitration Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected the request submitted by the Football Union of Russia (FUR) to postpone the execution of the CAS case during the CAS case. The FIFA Council decision to suspend all Russian teams and clubs from participating in its competitions until further notice (the contested decision).
“The challenged decision therefore remains in force and all Russian teams and clubs remain suspended from participating in FIFA competitions. The CAS arbitration case continues. A panel of arbitrators is currently being set up and the parties are exchanging written submissions. There are no consultation has been scheduled yet. “
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