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

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.
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
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.
“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.”
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”.
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.”
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”.
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.
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.
Sports
JUST IN: Full Draw For 2026 World Cup Group Stages Confirmed

The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been conducted.
It took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.
There will be 48 teams at next year’s tournament, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
All the participating countries were grouped into 12 groups of four.
Here is the full draw:
READ ALSO:Trump Unveils Fast-track Visas For World Cup Ticket Holders
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Sports
EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.
The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.
READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola
But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.
But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.
So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.
READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title
“That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.
“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”
Sports
EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.
Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.
READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race
Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.
“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.
“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”
READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash
Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.
“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.
“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”
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