Boris Johnson joins calls for Russia boycott amid World Cup refusals

Boris Johnson has waded into the row over a Russian sporting boycott.

The Prime Minister has said it would be "inconceivable" to carry on with football matches and other sporting events after Russia invaded Ukraine.

It comes after the Czech Republic joined the likes of Poland and Sweden in refusing to play Russia ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers.

That has put huge pressure on world governing body FIFA to kick Russia out of the World Cup and make a strong statement - but have stayed out of the storm.

Now Johnson has waded in and said: "It's sad. It is inconceivable to me to imagine that normal sporting relations with [Vladimir] Putin 's Russia can continue."

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UEFA are taking legal advice on how to end their £50m-plus sponsorship deal with Russian energy firm Gazprom while Formula One bosses have scrapped the Russian Grand Prix.

But despite holding an impromptu press conference last Thursday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has since stayed silent on the gathering storm despite Poland, Sweden and the Czechs all saying publicly they will boycott the qualifiers.

The Czech Republic FA issued a statement which said: "The Czech FA executive committee, staff members and players of the national team agreed it's not possible to play against the Russian national team in the current situation, not even on the neutral venue.

"We all want the war to end as soon as possible."

Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who now plays for Juventus and whose wife who was born in Ukraine, said: "I refuse to play against players who choose to represent the values and principles of Russia.

"I refuse to take part in an event that legitimates the actions of the Russian government."

Russia are due to play Poland next month with the winners due to play Sweden or Czech Republic for a place in Qatar.

Ukraine 's play-off with Scotland is also in doubt with the war raging.

Former defender Oleg Luzhnyi said: "We all hope this will be over soon as innocent lives are being lost and families are being torn apart.

"A country being invaded and destroyed is all for what? We need to stand together as one and bring to an end this criminal warfare."

The whole of football has come together to show its solidarity for Ukraine with the arch at Wembley being lit up in the national colours of yellow and blue while fans up and down stadiums have also displayed banners and flags.