FEI Executive Board also approves the allocation of a CHF 1 Million FEI Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine
28 February 2022, FEI, FIFA, UEFA suspend all of their sports in and from Russia
The FEI Executive Board unanimously condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and agree on the ramifications to equestrian sport in Russia and Belarus.
In line with the IOC statement of 25 February 2022 urging International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events, the FEI Executive Board called on the FEI Secretary General to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus in the 2022 FEI Calendar.
In addition to removing all the Events from Russia and Belarus, the FEI Executive Board also unanimously agreed to freeze all FEI Solidarity and development activities and to cancel or relocate, where possible, FEI Courses for Officials scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2022.
The Executive Board requested that the FEI Board consider an Emergency Board Resolution addressing today’s recommendation by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian Athletes and Officials. The FEI will continue to monitor the situation and decisions taken by the FEI Board will be communicated in the coming days.
During the meeting, the Executive Board also approved the allocation of a CHF 1 Million FEI Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian Federation and neighbouring countries to facilitate and coordinate logistical support as well as the financial aid.
FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is currently in close contact with the National Federation of Ukraine and the equestrian community.
“We are deeply concerned for the welfare of all Ukrainians and the entire equestrian community in Ukraine,” the FEI President said. ”Their safety is very much our priority, and we are liaising closely with our key contacts in Ukraine and neighboring countries to seek solutions to their most pressing needs.”
“Sport is a network which relies and thrives on team spirit and camaraderie and it is through these important friendships that we can offer support and make a difference to the people of Ukraine in these challenging times.”
FIFA suspends Russia from playing international soccer indefinitely
FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, suspended Russian teams from playing international soccer until further notice, the organization said in a statement Monday.
UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, joined FIFA in announcing the suspension, which will also apply to Russian club teams.
This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee executive board’s recommendation Monday that international federations and organizations should not allow or invite Russian or Belarusian athletes or officials to participate in events. It comes one day after FIFA announced a a series of initial measures to penalize Russia.
Amid growing pressure from European nations and the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and UEFA confirmed Monday that Russia would have no involvement in the upcoming World Cup playoffs.Russia was scheduled to play Poland in a semifinal match on March 24, with the winner facing either the Czech Republic or Sweden for one of Europe’s final three spots in the World Cup. All three teams announced earlier this week that they would boycott games against Russia. Link: https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-europa-league/story/4605670/uefa-removes-russian-teams-from-all-competitions-following-ukraine-invasion
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