Fifa and Uefa are under pressure to extend sanctions on the Russian football federation, including the possibility of expulsion from the governing bodies, after two Crimean clubs were incorporated into its pyramid and allowed to start the country’s season last Sunday.
Rubin Yalta and FC Sevastopol played their first matches in Russia’s Football National League 2B, the fourth tier, despite rules that prohibit Crimean clubs from playing in competitions organised by the Russian Football Union (RFS). Crimea has been considered a “special zone” by Uefa since Russia annexed the region in 2014, effectively meaning its clubs can only compete in a championship against each other and have no access to European tournaments.
