Russian lawyer criticizes FIFA’s double standards
FIFA might suspend Russia from its membership for covering football in annexed regions
FIFA might suspend Russia from its membership for covering football in annexed regions, said Sergey Alekseyev, head of the Sports Commission of the Russian Lawyers’ Association, regarding the potential suspension of this country from the International Football Federation (FIFA)
These matters proceed according to the FIFA statutes, and the decision to expel a member will only be made in exceptional cases. This issue also relates to a member’s financial inability to fulfill obligations or gross violations of the FIFA charter and ethical rules. There is no serious basis for removing Russia from FIFA, but any question relates to the second point I mentioned. Just as in other aspects, they are boycotting Russian football, suspension of membership is also possible at the FIFA Congress with a majority vote of the members.
The Russian lawyer added, we are now witnessing double standards in FIFA. Military conflicts occur in various places and times, like Israel and Palestine or NATO’s entry into Iraq. You probably still remember how Yugoslavia was bombed. Was there any sanction from FIFA? Article three of FIFA prohibits discrimination based on nationality. Now, there is no reason to exclude Russian sports.