(Reuters) – As Russia invades Ukraine on Monday, sports bodies took steps to ban Russian athletes competing at international events. FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s national football teams from international competitions, while UEFA banned clubs and individuals from playing in the sport.

Russia could be out of the World Cup in Russia and from the Euro 2020 women’s tournament.

“FIFA and UEFA decided today that all Russian national teams and club teams shall be barred from participating in FIFA or UEFA competitions,” UEFA stated in a statement.

UEFA has also confirmed that RB Leipzig will be granted a playover in the Europa League quarter-finals. This was after their 16 match against Spartak Moscow was canceled. UEFA added that it had cancelled the sponsorship agreement with Gazprom (MCX).

IOC RECOMMENDS RUSSIA and BELARUS BAN

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC’s) executive board recommended that sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian officials and athletes from participating in sporting events.

After Russia declared war on President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war, athletes from Ukraine and other countries urged the IOC and others to act.

According to the IOC, the executive board of the IOC made this decision in order “to protect the integrity and safety of international sports competitions”

Russian Olympic Committee disagrees with IOC. It stated that it “contradicts both regulatory documents of IOC as well the (Olympics) Charter”.

Just before the Winter Paralympics in Beijing begin on Friday, the IOC released a statement. Russia will be discussed by the International Paralympic Committee on Wednesday.

EVENTS CALLED OFF

The world governing body for badminton (BWF), has cancelled any sanctioned tournaments held in Russia or Belarus. They also stated that they will not allocate any other badminton tournaments to these regions until further notice.

BWF stated that the Russian and Belarusian flags should not be displayed, and their national anthems shouldn’t be played at any BWF event.

Ukraine’s motorsport federation asked Formula One’s governing FIA for a ban on Russian and Belarusian license holder from participating in Formula One competitions. This would, if approved by Russia’s Nikita Mazepin.

FINA, the swimming’s international governing body for swimming, has cancelled the World Junior Swimming Championships scheduled to be held in Kazan. It said it would support members of the aquatic family affected by Russia’s invasion.

Ukrainian Tennis Federation called on the International Tennis Federation, which governs the sport, to expel Russia (and Belarus) immediately and exclude Russia from all individual and team tournaments.

INTERVIEW WITH ABRAMOVICH ON PEACE MANAGEMENT

Russia describes its actions against Ukraine as “special operations”, which it claims is not intended to occupy the territory, but destroy its south neighbour’s military capabilities. Also, it intends to capture those it considers dangerous nationalists.

Roman Abramovich is a Russian billionaire who also owns Chelsea Premier League soccer team. He has now agreed to negotiate with Ukraine to end the Russian invasion.

Ukraine asked Abramovich to mediate due to his Russian background. He made a lot of money in Russia during the post-communist period of privatisation in 1990s. A source who is familiar with the matter said that Abramovich spoke on behalf of Ukraine.