Russia loses 3rd soccer ruling at CAS

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed a third request by the Russian soccer federation for urgent rulings to freeze FIFA and UEFA decisions before World Cup playoffs begin.

The latest challenge was against a decision by FIFA leaders on March 8 to award Poland a bye into a playoff bracket final scheduled next week without having to face Russia.

The latest dismissal confirms Poland will host either Sweden or the Czech Republic next week with a place at the World Cup tournament in Qatar at stake. All three teams had already refused to play Russia.

Previous CAS rulings this month rejected the Football Union of Russia´s requests to freeze bans on its teams imposed by FIFA and UEFA since the country´s military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Russia sought emergency interim rulings from a senior CAS judge pending full appeals which could be heard and judged in the weeks ahead.

Russian athletes and teams have been banned from competing in multiple sports because of the war.

Belarusian athletes have also been banned because their country has been an ally of Russia.

Ukraine is also in the World Cup playoffs and its scheduled game against Scotland was postponed by FIFA until June.

Ukraine or Scotland will advance to face either Wales or Austria, who play in Cardiff on Thursday.

Elsewhere, European clubs can register a maximum of two eligible players from Russian and Ukrainian clubs for the remaining matches in this year’s continental competitions in light of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, governing body UEFA said.

World governing body FIFA earlier this month allowed foreign players and coaches to temporarily leave Russian and Ukrainian clubs and sign for new teams due to the crisis.

“The UEFA Executive Committee today decided to amend the regulations of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, 2021/22 UEFA Europa League and 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League regulations, and to allow clubs to register a maximum of two new eligible players,” UEFA said in a statement.

“The UEFA Executive Committee decided to include a provision permitting clubs to register a maximum of two additional players, which were previously registered with a club affiliated to the UAF or the FUR and whose contracts have been suspended.”

The amendment will also apply to teams competing in the Women’s Champions League.