Malta FA cited in Russia football union appeal against international suspension

The Malta Football Association is one of the governing bodies that were cited in an appeal filed by the Football Union of Russia before the Court of Arbitration for Sport following a decision taken by FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Russian national teams and clubs from participation in their respective competitions.

Late last month, the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee decided to suspend Russian teams from international football, meaning that they couldn’t compete in qualifying matches for the World Cup and European Championships as well as they were excluded from UEFA club competitions until further notice.

The Malta U-21 national team are due to host Russia in a European Championship qualifier on March 25 while the women’s national team will be up against the Russians in a World Cup qualifier on April 12.

In a statement, the Malta FA said that it had received notification of two appeals filed by the Football Union of Russia and will be filing its reply in accordance with the CAS procedure.

“The Malta Football Association has received notification of two appeals filed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the Football Union of Russia (FUR) against the decisions taken on 28 February 2022 by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee respectively to suspend all Russian teams and clubs from participation in their respective competitions until further notice,” the Malta FA said in a statement.

“The Malta Football Association is amongst a number of national associations listed as defendants in either or both the above-mentioned appeals and will be filing its reply in accordance with CAS procedure.

“The Association will not comment any further while these proceedings are sub-judice.”