Russia must play international matches in neutral countries without supporters, world governing body FIFA has announced.
The country will also have to play under the name ‘Football Union of Russia’ and not as ‘Russia’ under new measures issued in response to the Ukraine crisis.
FIFA has also ruled that no Russian flag or national anthem can be used at matches.
Russia is due to participate in the World Cup qualifying play-offs next month but first opponents Poland and the sides they could face in the following round, Sweden and the Czech Republic, are refusing to play against them.
FIFA had faced calls to ban Russia from the competition altogether but, while it has stopped short of that on this occasion, it said in a statement “potential exclusion” remained an option.
A statement issued on Sunday read: “First and foremost, FIFA would like to reiterate its condemnation of the use of force by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
