FIFA, the world soccer governing body, has imposed its first sanctions against Russia. But this may not be the end. For the time being, no more international matches may be played in Russia. The Sbornaja’s home games must take place on neutral ground. At these, the anthem will no longer be played and the Russian flag will no longer be visible.

The national team will also no longer be allowed to play under the name Russia. In the future, it must compete under the association name RFU. At the same time, FIFA threatened with a complete exclusion. The decision was taken unanimously, the world governing body announced.

“First and foremost, FIFA wishes to reiterate its condemnation of Russia’s use of violence in its invasion of Ukraine,” the world governing body wrote in a statement. “Violence is never a solution. FIFA expresses its solidarity with all people affected by what is happening in Ukraine.”

The world governing body called for the “urgent restoration of peace” and “the immediate start of a constructive dialogue.” FIFA said it was in close communication with the #IOC, the European Football Union UEFA and other sports federations “to determine additional measures or sanctions, including possible exclusion from competitions, to be applied in the near future should the situation not improve rapidly.”

European soccer stands up to Russia

Poland’s federation president Cezary Kulesza called the sanctions by FIFA “unacceptable”. He wrote on Twitter, “We are not interested in a game of appearances. Our position remains unchanged: The Polish national team will NOT play a match against Russia. No matter what the name of the Russian team is.”

Over the weekend, the federations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic had already announced that they would not play Russia in the upcoming World Cup playoffs in Qatar. “Enough words, it’s time to act,” Kulesza had said on Saturday, “Due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Poland does not plan to play against the Russian team. This is the only right decision.”

The French Football Federation #FFFD, through the federation’s head Noel le Graet, had called for Russia’s exclusion from the World Cup finals in Qatar in the newspaper Le Parisien on Sunday. “The world of sport and soccer in particular cannot remain neutral. I will certainly not oppose Russia’s exclusion,” Le Graet said.

The FA, England’s soccer governing body, also said late Sunday that it would not play any more international matches against Russia in the “foreseeable future” because of the “atrocities committed by the Russian leadership” and “in solidarity with Ukraine.” This, he said, refers not only to the men’s national team matches, but to all levels of the game including youth and para-football matches. A little later, the Welsh FA also joined the English decision. In a statement, they said they would not play any international matches against Russia at the moment, no matter at what level.