All Russian teams — club and national — have been banned indefinitely by FIFA and UEFA following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Monday’s announcement comes just one day after FIFA revealed initial measures including no competitions in Russia, member associations playing under the name “Football Union of Russia” not “Russia,” and no Russian flags or anthems at matches.

• The original decision brought heavy criticism from Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Poland — the team slated to face Russia in a World Cup playoff semifinal next month. The winner would take on one of the former two teams, but all three have refused to face Russia.
• Federations in France, the U.S., and England said they wouldn’t play the country.

The updated suspension removes the possibility of Russia’s appearance in the 2022 World Cup, which has a budget of $700 million. The overall winner will receive $62 million.

It is not clear if Poland will receive a bye.

Governing Bodies’ Goals

The IOC suggested on Monday that Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials be excluded from international events. The Ukrainian ministry of sport also called on international bodies to do the same, but didn’t include Belarussian athletes or teams.

In a joint statement, the presidents of FIFA and UEFA expressed that they “hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly” so that soccer can be “a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”

Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter announced Monday he is stepping down as CEO of the Miami Marlins and selling his 4% stake in the franchise worth roughly $44.8 million. 

“The vision for the future of the franchise is different than the one I signed up to lead,” Jeter said.

Jeter, who retired in 2014 after 20 seasons and five World Series titles with the New York Yankees, acquired his stake in the Marlins in 2017 with investor Bruce Sherman and others for $1.2 billion. Nearly five years later, the team is valued at $1.12 billion — the lowest in MLB.

Jeter’s tenure as CEO and part-owner of the Marlins saw lackluster results on the field. 

• The team posted a 218-327 record in the four seasons under Jeter’s watch.
• They reached the playoffs once during that span in a pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

Still in the Game 

In 2014, Jeter founded The Players’ Tribune, an athlete-focused media platform. Minute Media acquired the site in 2019, adding the publication to a network of sports media sites that includes The Big Lead, FanSided, and digital esports platform DBLTAP.

Jeter has been working with The Players’ Tribune and MLB to produce “The Captain,” a documentary series from ESPN about the former Yankee that will debut on ESPN and ESPN+ later this year.

Chelsea F.C. owner Roman Abramovich is handing over control of the team amid a very delicate time regarding his role in the Premier League.

Abramovich said on Saturday that he will give stewardship of Chelsea to its charitable foundation.

“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans,” Abramovich wrote.

• The billionaire steel magnate has ties to the Russian government, which have led many, including Member of Parliament Chris Bryant, to call for his ouster as Chelsea owner due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• The club owes Abramovich around $2 billion. There has been speculation that he could call in the loan if government actors attempt to wrest control of the team from him. 
• Abramovich’s net worth is an estimated $13.3 billion, per Forbes.
• The club’s financial situation will reportedly not change.

Abramovich is not currently on the U.K.’s sanction list.

Playing Diplomat

A spokesperson for Abramovich said that the owner accepted an outreach from Ukraine to help negotiate an end to Russia’s assault.

Talks between the two sides began on Monday. Neither side has commented on the details of Abramovich’s role due to the sensitive nature of the situation.