The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have taken the toughest stance by calling for all Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to be banned from international sport.
In a statement that will put huge pressure on FIFA to kick Russia out of World Cup qualifying, they said: "In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions."
This comes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week, ordered by President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
With the war escalating, a US official has said that Belarus could send troops into Ukraine to support Russia's invasion.
The IOC's tough announcement comes just days before the beginning of this month's Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, which both Russian and Belarusian athletes were set to compete in.
The IOC's latest statement followed up a previous message they had made on Friday, which criticised both Russia and Belarus for breaking the 'Olympic truce', and urged sporting federations to move or cancel any events taking place in those countries.
Since the invasion, Russia has already seen this year's UEFA Champions League final in St. Petersburg taking away from them, and given to Paris, whilst the FIA announced the Russian Grand Prix taking place in September will be cancelled.
The FA - alongside a number of other football federations - have taken a zero tolerance approach, confirming that no England team at any level will play against Russia, whilst the Polish FA revealed they would not fulfil their scheduled World Cup play-off against Putin's nation.
Despite this, FIFA revealed on Sunday that Russia would could to continue to compete, but would be required to play away from home and under the name the 'Football Union of Russia', with flags and the national anthem banned.
But it is believed that the IOC's recent decision could well pave the way for FIFA to enforce much larger sanctions, with calls for Russia's national time to be banned from taking part in their upcoming play-off with Poland, and from competing in this winter's World Cup.
