Russia excludes Crimea clubs

The Russian football federation, mindful of hosting the 2018 World Cup, complies with a UEFA directive to cut ties with clubs from disputed Crimea.

Crimean football clubs have been expelled from Russian competitions in the wake of an according UEFA ruling, the Tass news agency on Friday cited the Russian federation RFS as saying.

The news came a few days after UEFA president Michel Platini had reiterated during a visit to the next World Cup hosts that they must comply with the UEFA ruling from December 4.

Tass quoted the RFS as saying that the clubs from Simferopol, Sevastopol and Yalta would likely set up their own league.

The Crimea region was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in March. The three clubs completed their games in the Ukrainian leagues last season, were then dissolved and integrated under new names in the Russian third division and cup.

Ukraine's football federation has not recognised the switch of the clubs and called on UEFA and the world governing body FIFA to take action against Russia.

UEFA last month prohibited Crimean clubs to play in competitions organised by the RFS as from January 1 and for the region to be considered as a "special zone" for football purposes until further notice. UEFA also said it was ready to help funding the development of football in the region.


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