Russian club, Spartak Moscow to be removed from Europa League by UEFA

 

UEFA is set to remove Spartak Moscow from this season's Europa League in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian side was drawn against German giants RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled to be played on March 17.

Although there is no official confirmation has been made by UEFA, conversations are ongoing about whether RB Leipzig will get a bye through to the quarter-finals, or if another team will be reinstated to play them.

RB Leipzig's CEO Oliver Mintzlaff released a statement: "We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in UEFA and their decision. We assume the games will be canceled."

 UEFA is trying to organize an emergency Executive Committee meeting for Tuesday. The move comes as more and more European associations are announcing they will not play Russia.