How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted sport

In England, Premier League giants Manchester United have terminated the sponsorship agreement it had with Russian airline Aeroflot. As part of Russian sanctions, Aeroflot has been banned from trading in the UK, the Daily Express reported. In a statement United said: “In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights. We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected.”

Fifa World Cup play-offs

Poland are due to travel to Moscow to play Russia in the semi-final of the Fifa World Cup play-off on Thursday 24 March. The Polish football association (PZPN) has asked Fifa, the global governing body, to “urgently clarify the issues related to the organisation of the match”.

The matter also concerns Sweden and the Czech Republic, who could face Russia in Moscow in the play-off final, Reuters reported. And there are doubts whether Ukraine’s World Cup play-off match against Scotland in Glasgow will go ahead as planned on 24 March. 

In a joint statement the football associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic expressed their “firm position” that the play-off matches “should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation”.

Football in Ukraine and Russia 

Ukraine’s domestic football league was meant to restart today after the post-winter break. But now matches have been paused for a minimum of 30 days. “After the imposition of martial law in Ukraine, the championship draw has been suspended,” the league said in a statement. 

Dynamo Kyiv, one of Ukraine’s biggest clubs, “proclaimed their resistance” to the invasion, the Irish Independent said. “We are on our land, and we will not give it to anyone,” the club stated. “For us – the truth, for us victory! We will definitely win, and Ukrainians from Uzhgorod to Lugansk, from Chernihiv to Sevastopol will be proud that they are citizens of a great state called Ukraine.”

Uefa also confirmed that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in Uefa competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice, Sky Sports reported. Spartak Moscow will be affected as they are still in the Europa League, where they play RB Leipzig over two legs in the round of 16 next month.  

The F1 Russian Grand Prix takes place at the Sochi Autodrom

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

F1: Russian GP and Nikita Mazepin 

This year’s Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place at the Sochi Autodrom on 25 September, has been cancelled. F1 said it was “impossible” to hold the Russian GP in the current circumstances.

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/sport/955882/russia-invasion-ukraine-impact-sports-industry