CAS backs FIFA ban on Russian teams

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has refused to lift FIFA's ban on Russia participating in the World Cup playoffs for 2022 due to the special military operation in Ukraine.

The CAS, sport's highest court, has yet to rule on the legality of the ban, but a decision is not expected for several weeks.

In a statement on Friday, the court said that “The challenged decision remains in force and all Russian teams and clubs continue to be suspended from participation in FIFA competitions. The CAS arbitration proceedings continue.”

The Football Union of Russia had filed an appeal against the suspension, hoping to gain permission to play Poland in a World Cup playoff scheduled for March 24.

Meanwhile, Russia may still be able to have the FIFA ban lifted before the next round of international games in early June. A Russian victory at CAS would then necessitate a rematch of this month's playoffs.

It is worth mentioning that Ukraine is also in the World Cup playoffs, and its scheduled match against Scotland on Thursday has been postponed until June by FIFA.

Ukraine or Scotland will advance to face either Wales or Austria in Cardiff next week, with a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar on the line.

Earlier this week, the CAS upheld UEFA's prohibition on Russian teams competing in its competitions for the duration of the case.

Because of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, Russian athletes have been barred from competing in a variety of sports.

Belarusian athletes have also been barred from competing because their country backs Russia.