Spartak Moscow removed from Europa League amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Spartak Moscow have been booted out of the Europa League due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian club were scheduled to face Red Bull Leipzig in the last-16 of the competition but UEFA have taken the decision to ban Spartak and cancel the tie.

The first leg was due to be played in Germany on March 10, with the return leg set for a week later in Moscow.

However, neither match will go ahead now, with Leipzig handed a bye into the quarter-finals.

UEFA confirmed in a statement: "As the matches between RB Leipzig and FC Spartak Moskva cannot take place, as a consequence, RB Leipzig are qualified to the quarter-finals of the competition".

A joint statement from FIFA and UEFA confirmed the decision to ban both Russia's national and club teams from all competitions.

It read: "Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

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"These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

"Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

Spartak reached the last-16 after finishing top of Group C, which contained Premier League side Leicester City.

The move comes after FIFA initially opted against suspending the Russia national team from fixtures, having previously only ordered restrictions including no fans or flags allowed, nor the playing of their national anthem.

FIFA's initial decision was slammed but they have now announced a complete ban, essentially ending Russia's involvement in the World Cup.

Poland were scheduled to face Russia in a play-off for a place at the 2022 World Cup but had reiterated their stance that they had no intentions of playing the fixture.

Reacting to FIFA's original decision on Sunday, president of the Polish FA, Cezary Kulesza, said: "FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances.

"Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is."

A Polish FA statement added: "In the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was condemned almost all over the world, this is the only decision we can make.

"A performance in a match against the Russian national team would be a shameful act not just for our players but for the entire football community, contrary to solidarity with the Ukrainian nation.

"As football association, we refuse to participate in play-off matches in which the Russian national team appears."

The FA had also already announced that England, Scotland and Wales will not compete in any fixtures against Russia "for the foreseeable future".

A statement read: "Out of solidarity with the Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, The FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the foreseeable future.

"This includes any potential match at any level of senior age group or para football."