Russian clubs have been banned by UEFA from participating in the Champions League and all other European competitions next season, the governing body of European football announced on Monday. “Russia will not have member clubs participating in UEFA club competitions in the 2022/2023 season,” a statement said. Russian clubs and national teams were suspended “until further notice” by UEFA in February after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The exclusion of the Russian team from the European Women’s Championship to be held in England in July was also confirmed on Monday, with Portugal taking its place.
Portugal, which had lost to Russia in a qualifying play-off, will take its place in Group C alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, the number two in the 2019 World Cup.
In addition, UEFA declared that Russia’s bid to host the European Championship in 2028 or 2032 is “ineligible”.
The Russian national team had already been kicked out of the qualifying competition for this year’s World Cup in Qatar by FIFA, just before a crucial play-off match against Poland in March.
The country’s football federation initially appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but dropped the legal challenge last month.
It was also confirmed on Monday that Russia will also play no further role in the qualifying campaign for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with all results so far deemed null and void.
Likewise, the men’s team will not participate in the Nations League which kicks off in June as scheduled, meaning they will be automatically placed at the bottom of their group.
UEFA’s sweeping announcement also confirmed Russia’s exclusion from qualifying for the next Under-21 European Championship.
Zenit Saint Petersburg are said to have entered the group stage of next season’s Champions League after taking their fourth Russian Premier League title in a row on Saturday.
The runners-up were due to enter the third qualifying round.
The Russian football season has continued since the start of the war, unlike the Ukrainian club season which was suspended immediately after the invasion and was halted last week without a champion being crowned.
UEFA said the decision to kick Russia out of the Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 bidding process was made in part because the host country is normally automatically qualified.
But Russia’s continued suspension means there’s no guarantee that the country will be allowed to return to the international fold by then.
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Turkey had also expressed interest in hosting Euro 2028, along with a joint bid from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Turkey and Italy were the other countries that expressed interest in hosting the 2032 edition.
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