Spartak Moscow banned from Europa League

Spartak Moscow have been banned from playing their Europa League last-sixteen home tie at their stadium in Russia.

UEFA have confirmed the game scheduled to be played at Otkritie Bank Arena will now take place at a neutral venue.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine led to the decision by Europe’s football governing body following crisis talks.

Spartak discover their opponents for the last-sixteen on Friday in the Europa League last-sixteen draw.

And as a seeded club, after winning their group, their second-leg was scheduled to be at home – the same venue for England’s victory over Colombia on penalties in the 2018 World Cup.

Now though that will be at a neutral venue, as will all their European home games ‘until further notice’.

The ruling applies to all Russian and Ukrainian teams in European competitions, but as the only team from either country still involved Spartak are the only team affected.

A UEFA statement read: “The UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.”

On top of that there is thought to be the feeling that other nations will not accept Russia’s continued involvement in football.

That could see UEFA being urged to ban ALL Russian club sides from their competitions.

Elsewhere, UEFA also announced Russia had been STRIPPED of hosting the Champions League final.

The showpiece final has been relocated from the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg to the Stade de France in Paris.