(Reuters) – Four Russian Premier League clubs, together with champions Zenit St Petersburg, mentioned on Friday they’d filed an appeal towards UEFA’s decision to bar Russian clubs from European competition subsequent season.
UEFA, the governing physique of European soccer, determined Russia would haven’t any affiliated groups taking part in its membership competitions within the 2022-23 season due to Moscow’s navy marketing campaign in Ukraine.
“Zenit Football Club are supported on this motion by FC Dynamo Moscow, FC Sochi and PFC CSKA Moscow in interesting towards the decision of UEFA, and respectfully request this appeal to CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) be handled expeditiously,” Zenit mentioned in an announcement.
The Lausanne-based court docket didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The UEFA decision additionally prompted Nike to terminate its package sponsorship with Spartak Moscow.
Russia despatched tens of 1000’s of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it referred to as a particular operation designed to degrade its neighbour’s navy capabilities and root out folks it referred to as harmful nationalists.
The West has imposed sanctions on Russia and supplied Ukraine with navy assist in response.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Toby Davis)
