Russia and Belarus were suspended from participating in international rugby on Tuesday "until further notice", global governing body World Rugby said, with "full and immediate" sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
The International Federation's Executive Committee has decided "the complete and immediate suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice", and "the complete and immediate suspension of Russian Rugby Federation from its status as a member of World Rugby until further notice, "said a press release published overnight from Monday to Tuesday.
No World Cup qualifying
"The decision was taken with the interests of the values of solidarity, integrity and respect for rugby at heart," said the body, which assured "full support to the rugby community" in Ukraine.
Russia were still in the final round of European qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, to be held in France, but were fifth in the standings with three games still to play, with only the top two qualifying directly for the tournament. .
Read alsoThe French Olympic Committee in turn recommends the banishment of Russian athletes
The Russians' qualifying match against top-ranked Georgia, which was due to take place two days ago, had been postponed and will therefore not be played, as will their last two meetings against the Netherlands and Portugal in March. .
World Rugby has not specified the consequences of this suspension in the qualification process.
Russia had qualified for the 2011 and 2019 World Cups, but had not won a single victory there.
Russia has been ostracized from the sport since launching its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended her banishment from world sport and she was notably excluded from all football competitions by FIFA and UEFA, in particular the next World Cup, scheduled for November-December in Qatar.
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