France calls on the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 FIFA World Cup

• The French Football Federation has become the latest national governing body to call for FIFA to take action against Russia.
• Through its president Noel Le Graet, FFF has called on the exclusion of Russia from the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.
• France is not the only country of the idea to punish Russia amidst the invasion of Ukraine.

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has called for Russia to be excluded from the Qatar 2022 World Cup by governing body FIFA.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday morning, following weeks of rising political tensions in the region between the two countries. The conflict escalated further on Friday, with the fighting reaching the capital city of Kyiv. There was intense fighting in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Sunday.

France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has called on exclusion of Russia from the 2020 Qatar FIFA World Cup. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

France won the last World Cup in Russia in 2018, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow, a game even witnessed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia had been set to host Poland in a qualifying playoff in March, but on Friday, UEFA said any international matches due to be held in Russia or Ukraine would have to be moved to a neutral venue, as well as confirming St Petersburg had been stripped of holding this season’s Champions League final, which will now be played in Paris in the Stade de France.

That followed a request from the Polish, Swedish and Czech FAs that Russia be barred from hosting any upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The winner of the tie between Poland and Russia would have been due to play either Sweden or the Czech Republic for a place in Qatar 2022. The decision regarding where the qualifiers are played and whether Russia can remain a part of them ultimately rests with FIFA, who have so far ordered Russia to play under the Football Union of Russia (RFU).

Speaking to Le Parisien on Sunday, Le Graet believes football has a duty to act and said he “would not oppose” removing Russia from the tournament.

“This is something that I have not yet discussed with other federations,” he said. “I lean for exclusion of Russia from the next World Cup. This is my first impulse.

“Usually, I believe that sport is there to reconcile people and ease tensions, but this is going much too far.

“And the world of sport, and in particular football, cannot remain neutral. I will certainly not oppose the exclusion of Russia.”