Will Clark – Time to ban Russia from all sport until peace in Ukraine
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I never thought Vladimir Putin would actually go through with it. I thought days like these, at least in Europe, were consigned to the past.
I’ve barely watched anything else over the past few days, my television constantly on news channels getting the latest on Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.
The launching of missiles on cities, the mass evacuation of women and children attempting to find refuge in neighbouring countries, leaving their husbands and sons to fight to save their country.
Horrifying, terrifying, heartbreaking, I could use more words. But there are none to truly describe the contempt I feel for Putin and what he has plunged the world into.
Meanwhile, Ukraine bravely fights alone, despite receiving aid and words of encouragement from the rest of the world who wish them well.
I’m not calling for Great Britain or other countries to join the fight, but Russia has to be isolated in every aspect of life as well as economic.
This includes sport, banning their participation in any major event, in any international contest, until they pull their forces out of Ukraine completely.
Russia are in the World Cup play-offs and were scheduled to play Poland in the Path B semi-finals next month.
Poland said no chance, they are willing to forfeit their chance of playing in Qatar in November rather than play Russia.
The Czech Republic and Sweden, who play in the other Path B semi final, have also said they will not play Russia, regardless if the game is moved to neutral ground due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
So where does that leave FIFA? Do they expel Russia from the tournament or give them automatic qualification to the World Cup because nobody will play them in the play-off?
As we went to press, FIFA had refused to commit to a course of action of what to do. Surely, it is a straightforward answer.
UEFA stripped Russia of this season’s Champions League final taking place in St Petersburg, with the show-piece now scheduled to take place in Paris.
Formula One has cancelled the Russian Grand Prix this season.
Even the Eurovision Song Contest has banned Russia from taking part this year, saying the Kremlin’s actions go against the values of the event.
Russian people aren’t bad people, and videos of protests in Russian cities show a lot are not in support of the war. With protests against the war banned in their country, it shows how brave they are to stand up to their Government.
There has to be a zero tolerance policy towards the behaviour of Putin and his forces, and one way we can show that is to cut out any interaction in aspects of life, including sport, until peace is assured.
Scotland have their own World Cup play-off semi final at Hampden next month, ironically against Ukraine.
Hopefully the semi final can go ahead, just for Ukraine to show the world that they still exist as a country competing on the international stage that is their right.
And i’m sure that Hampden will show their support to Ukraine competing, although hoping Scotland come out on top.
Scotland and the rest of the free world are behind Ukraine.
John Lennon once sang give peace a chance. John was a smart man.
