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Sweden ‘Disappointed’ By FIFA, Insists It Won’t Play Against Russia

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The Swedish Football Federation (SvFF) reiterated on Monday it would not play against Russia in a possible World Cup play-off.

The federation added that it was “disappointed” by measures from the ruling body FIFA against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

Switzerland, Denmark and Norway meanwhile became the latest federations to say they would also not play football against Russia.

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German club Schalke 04 said they were terminating the cooperation with Russian main sponsors Gazprom.

Also, Germany’s Paralympic committee chief, Friedhelm Julius Beucher, has called for Russia’s exclusion from the Paralympics which open in Beijing on Friday.

READ ALSO: UEFA To Suspend Russian Teams – Report

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Russia are due to host Poland in a World Cup qualifier on March 24 with the winners then to host Sweden or the Czech Republic.

All three teams have said they would not play against Russia, and Sweden confirmed this stance Monday.

This was after FIFA on Sunday stopped short of an outright ban and ordered Russia has to play all games on neutral ground behind closed doors and without its national symbols.

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“The SvFF is disappointed with FIFA’s decision but is determined to continue to work together with other federations to cancel Russia’s matches in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers,” a statement said.

“The SvFF insists that we will not play any matches against Russia given its illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine …

“World football cannot silently watch and not act when countries are attacked completely unjustly.”

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The Swiss federation said it supported the stance of the Swedes, Poles and Czechs.

It added that it would themselves also not play against Russia, a stance that is “not negotiable” and includes their women’s Euros group game against Russia on June 9.

Danish federation chief Jakob Jensen said that “we are standing shoulder to shoulder with those federations who have announced they don’t want to play against Russia”.

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Denmark’s women’s team are in a World Cup qualifying group with Russia.

Like Denmark’s umbrella sports organisation DIF, Jensen called for Russia to be banned from all international sports events.

Norway’s football chief Terje Svendsen tweeted late Sunday that “just like Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic we believe that playing against Russia is out of the question right now.”

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Beucher said he planned to propose Russia’s ban to International Paralympic Committee (IPC) boss Andrew Parsons.

He said that while Russian athletes had nothing to do with the conflict action was still needed against this “attack which violates international law.”

Schalke 04 said its “managing board and supervisory board have come to the agreement to end the club’s partnership with Gazprom prematurely”.

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READ ALSO: EU To Grant Ukrainians Three Years Right To Stay

They are now in talks to terminate the deal until 2025 with Gazprom who have been on board since 2007.

Gazprom’s representative on the supervisory board, Matthias Warnig, stepped down last week.

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This was after the U.S announced sanctions against him and the North Stream gas pipeline, a Gazprom subsidiary, where he is board chairman.

The second division club dropped the name of its sponsor from the players’ shirts in last weekend’s league match.

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UCL: ‘If You’re The Best Show It’ – Ramos Slams Lamine Yamal

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Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain has slammed Barcelona stars, Lamine Yamal and Pedri over comments before their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

Before the game, the Barça players were in a bullish mood with Yamal posting a somewhat teasing message on his Instagram Story.

In the post, the young Spain international was seen sitting on a railing and wearing the Spain jersey, with the caption, “Pressure?”

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READ ALSO:EPL: Arteta Gives Arsenal Injury Updates Ahead Of West Ham Clash

The best young footballer in the world went on to post, “I’m back and the mission is back too.”

His teammate, Pedri also echoed the confidence during the news conference ahead of the game.

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He said “It was a tough game and we want to avenge that defeat,” he talked about PSG’s win over Barça in the Champions League final last season.

READ ALSO:UCL: Spurs Snatch Late 2-2 Draw At Bodo/Glimt

However, they were made to eat their words as PSG beat in front of their fans.

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Ramos, who was one of the scorers of the goals told reporters, “We’re the European champions, I can’t say more than that. If you’re the best, you have to show it on the pitch, not talk.”

Ramos’ teammate Vitinha, added, “We don’t give a damn. We don’t care, we just want to play the match, we won, and we’re happy about that.”

 

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EPL: Paul Merson Predicts Chelsea vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Other Fixtures

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Former Arsenal player, Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League games taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Bournemouth will tackle Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Friday night, while Manchester United will face Sunderland on Saturday.

Chelsea will take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, while Arsenal will take on West Ham United at Emirates Stadium.

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READ ALSO:Dangote Group Agrees To redeploy Workers Sacked By Refinery

Brentford will tackle Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Sunday, while Everton will take on Crystal Palace.

Stating his predictions, Merson said via Sportskeeda:

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Bournemouth 2-1 Fulham
Leeds United 2-2 Tottenham
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Man United 2-0 Sunderland
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Aston Villa 2-0 Burnley
Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Wolves 1-2 Brighton
Brentford 1-2 Manchester City

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EPL: Arteta Gives Arsenal Injury Updates Ahead Of West Ham Clash

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has given injury updates on his squad ahead of the visit of West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arteta has not ruled out Gabriel Magalhaes, after the Brazilian defender was substituted late in their 2-0 win over Olympiakos on Wednesday night.

We’ll have to wait and see after training,” Arteta said.

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“We haven’t done anything today. I’m not too concerned about him.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal Snatch Late 2-1 Win Against Newcastle

The Spaniard also confirmed that new signing Piero Hincapie will be fit after the upcoming international break.

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He will be available after the international break,” Arteta said.

“We will do everything as fast as possible, but this one comes too quick for him.”

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke still remain injured for the Gunners.

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