England to boycott all matches against Russia over Ukraine intervention

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - England will not play any international matches against Russia at any level in the wake of its military intervention in Ukraine, the Football Association said on Sunday.

"Out of solidarity with 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," the FA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic joined Sweden and Poland in their refusal to play in Russia.

FIFA has warned Russia of excluding it from competitions, and ruled that it will be called "Russian Football Union" (RFU) and no national flag or anthem will be used in matches where teams from the RFU participate.