The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday rejected the request from the Russian Football Union (RFU) to freeze FIFA’s decision to suspend all Russian teams and clubs from its competitions while the CAS deliberates on the case.
The decision effectively prevents Russia from taking part in World Cup qualifying playoffs scheduled later this month as no hearing has been fixed yet.
Earlier this week, the CAS upheld UEFA’s ban on Russian teams taking part in its competitions for the duration of its proceedings.
Since the FIFA and UEFA decisions, Spartak Moscow have been unable to play their Europa League round of 16 tie with RB Leipzig while Russia are currently unable to play their World Cup qualification fixtures at the end of this month.
The Russians had been scheduled to host Poland in a playoff but Russia’s ability to qualify for the event in Qatar is in doubt with the Polish, Czech and Swedish soccer governing bodies all refusing to play against the country which blocks them in their playoff path.
