Lto the bloody invasion it is carrying out in Ukraine has provoked measures of all kinds to economically isolate and ‘drown’ Russia, which, for now, offers no sign of truce.
The sport has not been left behind. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) asked all Federations “not invite or allow the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes”. Football has not wanted to be less. FIFA and UEFA jointly decided “suspend until further notice” the participation of any Russian team from any international competition, either club or national team.
The consequences, in practice, have been very drastic: Russia was left out of the ‘repechage’ and will not be in the 2022 World Cup, the Champions League final has been moved from Saint Petersburg to Paris, Spartak Moscow has been disqualified from the Europa League… In addition, UEFA, like Schalke, has broken its millionaire sponsorship agreement with Gazprom.
The Premier has stopped broadcasting in Russia
However, there is one fact that stands out. Russia has ‘bargained’, for now, the blockade of football in audiovisual matters. ‘Match TV’ continues to broadcast on Russian soil the main matches of the major leagues (Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece…), the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference. What’s more, the Copa Libertadores, belonging to CONMEBOL, also continues to be broadcast.
This is what the Eredivisie, Serie A and Brasileirao look like in Russia
The Premier League, on the other hand, has taken a step forward and has decided to execute the audiovisual ‘blockade’ on Russia. The English League clubs decided to “suspend the broadcast agreement with immediate effect” on March 8. In addition, they decided to donate 1.19 million euros to support Ukraine with “humanitarian aid”. A proposal to which Ligue 1 has also joined.
The position of LaLiga and UEFA
Both LaLiga and UEFA have publicly shown their strong condemnation of the war… But breaking a contract is not as simple as it might seem. It has many edges. And not only economic, but also legal. That is why MARCA has contacted both of them to find out, first-hand, her point of view.
This is what LaLiga and the Youth League look like in Russia
From LaLiga they assure that they have “taken measures and carried out different actions”. However, they have a reason to continue broadcasting: they have managed to put the ‘No to war’ in the houses. “We understand that it is a good occasion to spread the messages of ‘Stop War’ and ‘Stop Invasion’ that come out throughout the game next to the scoreboard (attached image) within the Russian people. Those same slogans are also seen on the billboards of the stadiums and the actions of solidarity and condemnation that the different teams are carrying out are also shown.
This is what LaLiga looks like in Russia
We understand that it is a good occasion to spread the messages of ‘Stop War’ and ‘Stop Invasion’ that come out throughout the game next to the scoreboard within the Russian people
There is more. The organization chaired by Javier Tebas has paralyzed “any action on Russian soil”. Different campaigns have been paralyzed and the LaLiga delegate in Russia is back in Spain.
As for UEFA, it is not necessary to influence all the measures it has adopted. From Nyon they work on adopting new resolutions… but they prefer to play it safe before cutting off the broadcast… if they finally decided/could carry it out.
The UEFA Executive Committee plans to convene new extraordinary meetings on a regular and continuous basis when necessary to reassess the legal and factual situation
“The UEFA Executive Committee plans to convene new extraordinary meetings on a regular and continuous basis when necessary to reassess the legal and factual situation. As it evolves, further action will be taken as necessary.”point from the highest entity of European football.
