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 Alexeev, head of the Sports Commission of the Russian Lawyers’ Association, regarding the potential suspension of this country from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
These issues proceed according to FIFA’s statutes, and the decision to expel a member will only be made in exceptional cases. This matter is related to a member’s financial inability to fulfill commitments or a gross violation of FIFA’s charter and ethical rules. There is no serious ground for Russia’s removal from FIFA, but any questions arise concerning the second point I mentioned. Just as in other aspects, they are boycotting Russian football, and suspension from membership is possible in the FIFA Congress with a majority vote of the members.
This Russian lawyer added that we are now witnessing double standards in FIFA. Military conflicts occur in different 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. There is currently no reason to exclude Russian sports.
