Spartak Moscow upset after Europa League expulsion: Sport should build bridges not burn them

 

 Spartak Moscow have issued a statement about UEFA's decision to remove them from the Europa League, saying that the club was upset over the decision. Notably, Spartak were scheduled to face RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the Europa League after winning their group, but have been removed from the competition by UEFA.

RB Leipzig were due to host Spartak Moscow in the first leg on March 10, with the second leg scheduled for March 17. But those matches were called off after soccer governing bodies FIFA and UEFA released a joint statement to announce Russia's suspension from all competitions until further notice due to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

"The decision to exclude our team from the Europa League is upsetting. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We will focus on domestic competitions and hope for a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs," Spartak tweeted on Monday.

"UEFA and FIFA have decided to exclude from the current iteration of the Europa League. This means that our round of 16 ties against RB Leipzig will not go ahead as planned," Spartak's statement reads.

"This verdict is connected to the organisations' position on recent events that have taken place in Ukraine.

"The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA, although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports.

"Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together.

We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with.

"For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs."

RB Leipzig have put out a statement of their own in relation to the cancellation of the last-16 games, which had been due to be played on March 10 and 17.