SECOND UPDATE: 3 PM PACIFIC: World Cup producers FIFA will allow the Russian national soccer team to participate in World Cup qualifying games, the organization said today.The moves comes as Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have declared they will not participate in any matches with Russia in the qualifying rounds.FIFA will allow Russia to take the pitch, but will not allow the Russian flag or national anthem..The team will also be designated as the Football Union of Russia.
The organization added that it will not allow any games in Russia itself, but will schedule for neutral territories.Qualifying rounds are set to start next month.
Whether these sanctions change any minds remains to be seen.UPDATE: Pressure is mounting on FIFA to boot Russia from the qualifying rounds of the World Cup.
Today, the Czech Republic has joined in the boycott of Ukraine’s invaders, saying they won’t face Russia on the pitch.They join Poland and Sweden as nations vowing not to play Russia in the matches, which start next month.Under the current schedule, the Czech Republic is set to play Sweden on March 24.
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