Novak Djokovic’s former coach Nikola Pilic has condemned forms of Russophobia - including the widespread ban on Russian athletes competing in various sports - amid the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA and UEFA have banned Russian teams and clubs from all their competitions until further notice, ruling them out of the men's World Cup in Qatar later this year and the Women's European Championships in England this summer. Russian club Spartak Moscow were also expelled from the Europa League, while UEFA terminated its sponsorship deal with energy firm Gazprom.
Elsewhere, the British Olympic Association issued a statement calling for the removal of Russia and Belarus from all top sporting competitions. Tennis’ leading bodies have opted to ban Russian and Belarusian from competing under their native flag.
