As Russia continues its invasion into Ukraine, FIFA is the latest sporting governing body to announce measures against Russia.
In line with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee, FIFA on Sunday announced that no international competition would be played on Russian territory, with home games taking place at neutral sites and without spectators; the team will participate under the name "Football Union of Russia" (RFU) and not Russia; and the Russian flag will not be displayed and the anthem will not be played during competitions.
FIFA said these measures were applicable until further notice and were unanimously decided by the organization's president and six confederation presidents.
OPINION:Ukraine invasion puts Russia's elite sports status at risk
UKRAINE:Athletes defend country, call for sanctions against Russia
"First and foremost, FIFA would like to reiterate its condemnation of the use of force by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine," FIFA said in a statement. "Violence is never a solution and FIFA expresses its deepest solidarity to all people affected by what is happening in Ukraine.
"FIFA calls again for the urgent restoration of peace and for constructive dialogue to commence immediately. FIFA remains in close contact with the Ukrainian Association of Football and members of the Ukrainian football community who have been requesting support to leave the country for as long as the current conflict persists."
But the Polish Football Federation said it would not play Russia, regardless of what the team is named and where the game is played.
“Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable,” Polish soccer federation president Cezary Kulesza tweeted. “We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is.”
Swedish federation president Karl-Erik Nilsson, the senior UEFA vice president, told the website Fotbollskanalen that he was not satisfied with the FIFA decision, with a “sharper stance” expected. The Czechs said the FIFA compromise did not change their decision not to play Russia.
FIFA said it would continue its dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sports governing bodies to discuss any further measures or sanctions "including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly."
On Thursday, UEFA announced it would be moving the organization's prestigious Champions League final out of St. Petersburg, Russia, to France.
The World Cup is scheduled to take place at the end of this year in Qatar, from Nov. 21 through Dec. 17. The last World Cup, in 2018, took place in Russia.
Contributing: Associated Press
