FIFA DOESN'T EXPEL RUSSIA FROM WORLD CUP QUALIFYING, SAYS CAN'T USE FLAG, ANTHEM...BUT NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY THEM!
The international soccer association FIFA wouldn't expel Russia Sunday (February 27th) from World Cup qualifying play over its invasion of Ukraine, but said it remained an option.
Instead, Russia will play under "RFU," the acronym of its soccer federation, the Russian Football Union, and the Russian flag an anthem can't be associated with the team. FIFA also said the RFU team can only play on neutral territory and without spectators.
The head of the Polish soccer association said it won't play Russia on their scheduled World Cup qualification playoff semifinal on March 24th.
The winner of that playoff is supposed to host Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29th to decide who advances to the World Cup finals later this year. But both nations have said they won't play Russia either.