Spartak Moscow release statement after UEFA kick them out of Europa League

The Russian side were due to face RB Leipzig in the competition's round of 16, however, UEFA has expelled them following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The first leg of the tie was scheduled for March 10, with the return leg due to be played on March 17.

Given that Spartak Moscow were the seeded team in the draw, it meant the second leg would have seen RB Leipzig travel to the Russian capital, however, the German side are now set to receive a bye into the quarter finals.

In a statement, Spartak made their feelings clear and added they hope to see peace break out soon.

"The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports.

"Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with.

"For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs."

With the decision already being made to replace Saint Petersburg as host city for the Champions League final, Russia has now also been banned from competing in the World Cup and its athletes in other sports are unlikely to be able to compete.

Formula 1 have also announced that they won't be traveling to Sochi for the 2022 Russian Grand Prix, which was scheduled for September this year, while driver Nikita Mazepin faces an uncertain future.

The decision to chuck Spartak Moscow out of the Europa League will be music to the ears of Simon Jordan, who spoke strongly about the need for sport to be 'in step with the rest of society.'

Asked if the Russian side should be kicked out of the competition, he told White and Jordan: "Absolutely.

"What sport should be doing is lockstepping behind the landscape of what everybody else is doing. That's the landscape of shutting everything down.

"If Aeroflot can't fly to the UK, then Russian teams can't play in European tournaments.

"It's not a case of the political landscapes and this being one of the exceptions to the rule, we are in a situation in the West where an aggressor can't behave in this way and sport can't be out of step.

"Sport can't be out of step with what's going on in society.

"We talk about sport reflecting society and we talk about societal behaviour manifesting itself in sport, sport is not an exception.

"If sport does not fall in line in this instance then sport makes itself an island, which is a ridiculous one to be on."