US boycotts Russia football games over Ukraine invasion
The United States joined the list of countries refusing to play international football games against Russia on Monday following the invasion of Ukraine. In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said no US teams at any level would take to the field against Russia until “freedom and peace” had gotten back to Ukraine.
“The US Soccer Federation stands united with the people of Ukraine and is unequivocal in our denunciation of the heinous and inhumane invasion by Russia,” US Soccer said.
“We will neither tarnish our global game, nor dishonor Ukraine, by taking the same field as Russia, no matter the level of competition or circumstance, until freedom and peace have been restored.”
The assertion came as football’s world governing body FIFA is poised to suspend Russia from the World Cup and other international competitions over the Ukraine invasion.
Football authorities in Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic have already pledged not to have Russia in their part of the European playoff draw next month.
The English FA also said on Sunday it wouldn’t play any matches against Russia “out of solidarity” with Ukraine.
