FIFA is in “advanced discussions” to suspend the Russian national team from world cup and other international competitions amidst Ukraine invasion, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Monday.
The source said Russia would be expelled from the World Cup “unless the situation improves”.
The Russian are in the same group with Poland Sweden and Czech Republic with their first game coming on March 24 against Poland.
FIFA had earlier announced on Sunday that Russian teams would be allowed to continue playing under the name of the Football Union of Russia, playing home games on neutral territory and behind closed doors, and with the Russian flag and anthem banned.
Those measures were dismissed as “totally unacceptable” by Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza, who added that Poland would not play their World Cup play-off with Russia, “no matter what the name of the team is.”
Sweden and the Czech Republic followed suit, with Swedish FA chief Karl-Erik Nilsson saying he was “displeased” with FIFA’s decision.
The draw for the World Cup is due to be held in Doha on April 1 with the tournament taking place in November and December.
