World Champion France Calls For Ban On Russia From FIFA World Cup 2022
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said that the world of sport, and especially football, cannot remain neutral.
New Delhi: France who are the latest World champions have called for Russia's ban from the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar after its invasion in Ukraine.
Demands to remove Russia from football's largest event were led by French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet.
"The world of sport, and especially football, cannot remain neutral. I certainly would not oppose the expulsion of Russia," said Le Graet told Le Parisien newspaper.
France are the reigning world champions having won the 2018 tournament played in Russia.
Governing body FIFA warned that they were considering the ultimate sanction but after four days of war, they on Sunday only ordered Russia to play home internationals on neutral venues.
Their national flag and anthem are also to be banned, reported AFP.
After France's demand, FIFA said that Russian teams would play as the "Football Union of Russia".
However, After FIFA's annoucement the Polish FA insisted once again that they will not play Russia in a World Cup play-off.
"Today's FIFA decision is totally unacceptable," tweeted Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza.
"We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is."
Poland were due to play in Moscow on March 24.
Sweden and the Czech Republic have also said they would not be facing Russia in the playoffs.
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