Sports brand Adidas has suspended co-operation with the Russian Football Union (RFU). The contract with the organization was valid until 2026. Adidas has provided equipment for Russian athletes since 2008.

"Adidas is suspending its partnership with the RFU immediately," an Adidas spokesperson said . The company has acted as the official technical partner of the Russian Football Union and has provided equipment for all teams since 2008. In 2021, the contract was extended until 2026.

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The World Athletics Council has today agreed to impose sanctions against the Member Federations of Russia and Belarus as a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine.

All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, with immediate effect.

Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman (4 March).

The Council also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its scheduled Council meeting next week (9-10 March).

The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World Athletics since 2015, due to doping violations, and therefore is not currently eligible to host World Athletics events or send teams to international championships.

The Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) process remains in place but Russian athletes who have received ANA status for 2022 are excluded from World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.

This means that all Russian ANA or Belarusian athletes currently accredited for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22 and the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 (18-20 March) will have their accreditation withdrawn and entries denied, as will any support personnel and officials.

In an address to the Council, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by Belarus. World leaders sought to avoid this invasion through diplomatic means but to no avail given Russia’s unswerving intention to invade Ukraine.

The unprecedented sanctions that are being imposed on Russia and Belarus by countries and industries all over the world appear to be the only peaceful way to disrupt and disable Russia’s current intentions and restore peace.

“Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of the actions of their government goes against the grain. I have railed against the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sport to make political points when other sectors continue about their business. This is different as governments, business and other international organisations have imposed sanctions and measures against Russia across all sectors. Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out.”

World Athletics Athletes’ Commission chairs Renaud Lavillenie and Dame Valerie Adams welcomed the decision.

“We stand in solidarity with our fellow athletes, competitors, and friends from Ukraine who are facing far greater challenges than just disruptions to their training and competition, but are in fear of their lives and the lives of their loved ones," Lavillenie said.

“While we understand the implications of this decision for Authorised Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarusian athletes, who may not be condoning their nations’ deplorable military action in Ukraine, we cannot ignore the message that inclusion of these two nations’ athletes would send to our friends in Ukraine and the rest of the world.”

In accordance with World Athletics rules, the Member Federations from Russia and Belarus have been informed of the Council’s decisions and have the right to respond. If necessary, the Council will reconvene to consider that response.

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Mukina2
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

Uselesssss Putin is causing innocent Russians too much. But the most funniest thing is that, he will still surrender and bow to the western supremacy after initial gragra . Uselesssss man

All these paper weight sanctions can't stop Putin from annexing Ukraine and there's nothing anyone or Fernandezisback can do!

They are hitting Russia from all sides.
Russia is gonna be NK 2.0.1 when the world is done with them...

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Zonefree:
All these paper weight sanctions can't stop Putin from annexing Ukraine and there's nothing anyone or Fernandezisback can do!

How is your life without tagging me?
Are you this petty..you and some other Putin's puppet have been sending derogatory words to me ever since I started countering Putin's evil..
It's so sick..5 minutes off coming back I already have about 10 tags from you kids and I keep ignoring your sorry self..
Pls get a grip of yourself before you end up hurting yourself..

Putin is a mad man n nobody is telling him..
all brands or organization dey avoid Russia, e remain GOD n heaven to follow scarp them off