FIFA tells Russia to compete under a different name

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FIFA follows IOC's lead, tells Russia to compete under a different name

By Adam Stites | Last updated Feb 27, 2022 3:30 PM ET

After Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic all announced refusals to play Russia in World Cup qualifiers next month, FIFA decided against expelling the country from play. Instead, FIFA decided that Russia can play at neutral venues using the RFU acronym, the association announced Sunday.

FIFA also said that RFU, which stands for Russian Football Union, would not be allowed to use the Russian flag or anthem in competition.

The decision — which is reminiscent of the International Olympic Committee's choice to allow Russian athletes to compete under the ROC acronym — wasn't received well by Poland, the country set to next face Russia in a semifinal match in March. In a tweet on Sunday, Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza called FIFA's punishments "totally unacceptable."

Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is.
— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) February 27, 2022

FIFA has entirely not ruled out an expulsion, though. In a statement, the association said that level of punishment is still on the table "should the situation not be improving rapidly."

Russia and Poland were scheduled to meet in Moscow on March 24 with the winner set to face either Sweden or Czech Republic on March 29 with a spot in the 2022 World Cup on the line.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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