FIFA, UEFA and what countries have taken stand against Russia?
Although FIFA had initially only put in place limited restrictions for the national team, strong messages from other nations appears to have had an effect.
As major nations around the world upped the sanctions being placed on Russia, among other steps being taken to support Ukraine, there was condemnation over FIFA's initial decision to impose only light restrictions on the Russian national football team. No international matches could be played in the country and their flag and anthem would be banned from any of their matches abroad, the sport's governing body said on Sunday.
But as the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country continues, decision makers have rethought their position.
In related news:
FIFA kick out Russia
Russia's national teams have been suspended from international football, announced on Monday afternoon after FIFA had talks with European body UEFA over the matter. Their joint statement read as follows:
Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.
Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.
Russia were scheduled to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying playoff on 24 March and if they remained suspended at that time, they would be out of the World Cup. The Polish FA had said that they will refuse to play against the Russian team.
The suspension covers all Russian national teams -- the women's team were due to play in UEFA's Euro 2022 competition in England in July.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour's military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists. State controlled television in the country continues to push the agenda.
Which countries are refusing to play Russia?
One of the challenges that FIFA have faced is that other nations, some of them considered among the most powerful, are taking a unilateral stand. Here is what they have been saying.
England FA
"Out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership ... we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future," England's FA said.
"This includes any potential match at any level of senior, age group or para football."
Poland FA
"In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic," Poland's Football Association chief Cezary Kulesza wrote on Twitter.
"This is the only right decision."
Sweden FA
"The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible," the Swedish FA said.
"We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be cancelled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March."
Czech FA
"The FA executive committee approved unanimously the decision that the Czech national team will under no circumstances play the possible game against Russia's team in the 2022 World Cup qualification," the Czech FA said.
Ireland FA
"The FAI has offered its full and unequivocal support to Ukraine's FA and confirmed that no Irish team will play against Russia at any level until further notice," Football Association of Ireland said on Twitter.
Scotland FA
"We remain in dialogue with UEFA and FIFA regarding our men's FIFA World Cup play-off and women's World Cup qualifier and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues' preparations as best we can," Scotland's FA said.
"Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia, due to be played in August."