Spartak Moscow to be expelled from the Europa League

It looks like RB Leipzig have already qualified for the quarter finals of the Europa League. At least that is how German daily Bild is reporting it. The Last 16 tie which the German club was due to play with Spartak Moscow next month won't be played follow the decision which UEFA's Executive Board took as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Spartak will effectively be disqualified from European competition.

While there has been no official statement from UEFA, Bild explain that the decision has already been taken and that both clubs will be informed at some point on Monday. Bild add that no other club will be brought in to occupy Spartak's place, and Leipzig, who boast Spanish players Dani Olmo, Angeliño, Hugo Novoa and Josep Martínez, will advance directly to the next round, becoming the first team to book their place in the quarter finals which will take place on 7 and 14 April.

Leipzig expecting UEFA to make a decision

Leipzig's director general Oliver Mintzlaff said, "We are in close contact with the federations and and have complete faith in UEFA and their decision. We had an idea that the games would be suspended". UEFA have already announced that no matches will be played on Russia soil, which leaves Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan) as possible venues to host the Leipzig game. UEFA however, appear to have made their own decision.