Sanctions and consequences for Russia continued to mount today, with the UK and many other states around the world announcing new measures in response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
It was announced this afternoon that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, have been suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. The football governing bodies said in a joint statement: "Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine".
Reaction to the move has been widespread and Joey Barton, the manager of Bristol Rovers, has expressed his view on Twitter. He posted tonight: "Getting banned from playing football is the worst punishment known to man. Surely, Russia/Putin will stop now." He ended the post with a peace sign and a Ukrainian flag.
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The tweet caused some confusion, with several people assuming it was a reference to his own experience of being banned from the game in 2017. One person responded saying that it was "impossible to tell if he is [being] sarcastic or serious", while another added: "Not quite sure if ironic because too much truth in it."
In a joint statement late this afternoon, FIFA and UEFA said: "Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which decisions envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
"These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters. Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."
Joey Barton was banned by the Football Association (FA) for 18 months on betting charges in 2017, although that period was cut by almost five months on appeal. He played for Burnley at the time, and was charged with having placed 1,260 bets on football matches between 2006 and 2013, including at least five matches when he was a player.
Many interpreted his tweet as a reference to that suspension period. Out of context, however, the comment was questioned. Jane wrote: "What!!!! Think before you speak!!!" Another Twitter user, Jamie countered: "I don’t think the lads not getting 90 minutes is going to phase him somehow Joey."
FIFA and UEFA were not the only sporting bodies taking action today. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a statement saying that it will ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic games, and 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."
The FIA - Formula One and motorsport government body - is also set to meet tomorrow to decide if any further measures need taking. The Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September, has already been cancelled. However, the future for Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin, still hangs in the balance.
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