Spartak Moscow say UEFA’s decision to kick them out of Europa League is heartbreaking as RB Leipzig receive passage to quarter-finals after Russia invade Ukraine

Spartak Moscow say they are upset with the decision to kick them out of the Europa League.

The Russian side were due to face RB Leipzig in the round of 16, but UEFA sent them off following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The first leg of the encounter was scheduled for March 10, with the second leg to be played on March 17.

As Spartak Moscow were the seeded team in the draw, this meant the second leg would have seen RB Leipzig travel to the Russian capital, however, the German side should now be given a bye to the quarter-finals.

In a statement, Spartak made their feelings clear and added that they hope to see peace soon.

“The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA, although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, our club’s efforts in the Europa League have been canceled for reasons that go well beyond the sport’s remit.

“Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures unite people from dozens of different countries. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to to build bridges, not to burn them. We are obliged to obey a decision with which we do not agree.

“For now, we will focus on domestic competitions and look forward to the rapid realization of the peace that everyone needs.”

With the decision already made to replace Saint Petersburg as the host city for the Champions League final, Russia has also been banned from participating in the World Cup and its athletes from other sports are unlikely to be able to participate.

Formula 1 has also announced it will not travel to Sochi for the 2022 Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September this year, as driver Nikita Mazepin faces an uncertain future.

The decision to exclude Spartak Moscow from the Europa League will be music to the ears of Simon Jordan, who has insisted on the need for sport to be “in tune with the rest of society”.

When asked if the Russian team should be expelled from the competition, he replied to White and Jordan: “Absolutely.

“What the sport should be doing is getting behind the landscape of what everyone is doing. It’s the landscape to shut everything down.

“If Aeroflot cannot travel to the UK, Russian teams cannot participate in European tournaments.

“It’s not about political landscapes and this being one of the exceptions to the rule, we have a situation in the West where an aggressor can’t behave like that and sport can’t be out of step.

“Sport cannot be out of step with what is happening in society.

“We’re talking about sport reflecting society and we’re talking about societal behavior manifesting in sport, sport is no exception.

“If the sport doesn’t toe the line in this case, then the sport is making an island for itself, which is ridiculous.”