<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-401166" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2022/09/Russia-Euro-2024-1200x725.webp" alt="Russia Euro 2024" width="1200" height="725" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div>
As a result of UEFA’s ban following <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/03/03/russian-invasion-impacts-global-soccer/">the invasion of Ukraine</a>, Russia remains forbidden to compete in Euro 2024 qualifying. Russia’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/28/ioc-calls-for-russia-sports-ban-fifa-throws-team-out-of-world-cup/">exclusion from major tournaments started in February</a>.
Consequently, the senior men’s national team has not played a match in over 10 months. However, Russia is set to play a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan this weekend.
A qualifying draw for the 2024 Euros will take place on Oct. 9. In 2024, Germany hosts Europe’s premier international competition.
Russia was previously banned by UEFA’s executive committee in late February. They went on to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport; however, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/07/15/court-of-arbitration-for-sport-upholds-bans-on-russian-clubs/">the original decision was upheld</a> by the courts in July.
<h3>Russia banned from Euro 2024 qualification</h3>
In an official statement released on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed the decision to extend Russia’s ban. “All Russian teams are currently suspended following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee of 28 February 2022, which was further confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 15 July 2022,” read the <a href="https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/0279-1628176b348f-4ef8c4c59e6b-1000--uefa-euro-2024-qualifying-draw-procedure-approved/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “Russia is therefore not included in the UEFA European Football Championship 2022-24 qualifying draw.”
The ban also obviously means that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/28/russia-expelled-from-world-cup-as-fifa-and-uefa-hand-down-bans/">Russians will not take part</a> of the upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup in Qatar</a>. When punished in February, they were removed from the qualification phase with immediate effect. Russia was scheduled to face Poland in Moscow back in March, but <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/26/poland-refuses-to-play-2022-world-cup-play-off-against-russia/">the game was canceled</a>. Poland advanced in the qualification on a walkover.
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
OFFICIAL: Russia will not compete in Euro 2024 qualifiers as the nation&apos;s ban from UEFA competitions remains active following its military invasion of Ukraine <a href="https://t.co/TBBwZURmrO">pic.twitter.com/TBBwZURmrO</a>
— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1572240487352008704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote></div>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Russia’s soccer embargo did not, however, only affect the men’s team. The women’s national team was also banned and expelled from this summer’s Women’s Euro tournament. Portugal took Russia’s place in the competition.
The 2022 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/05/02/russian-clubs-banned-from-next-seasons-champions-league/">Champions League</a> final was affected by Russia’s actions as well. Although initially supposed to be held in St. Petersburg, a decision was made to move the match to Paris just a day after the invasion.
It remains to be seen when Russia will be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/09/10/bosnia-condemned-for-planning-friendly-with-russia/">allowed to play</a> in another tournament in the future.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportfoto Rudel

Russia banned from Euro 2024 tournament qualification

With a qualifying draw set for early October, UEFA released a statement confirming that Russia remains banned from Euro 2024 qualification.

Russia banned from Euro 2024 tournament qualification - World Soccer Talk

It’s finally come. &nbsp;After a few years of dangerous tackles and <a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/24/mls-david-beckham-and-referee-criticism-were-about-to-see-if-a-double-standard-exists/" target="_blank">public outbursts against officials</a>, MLS finally has a very public example of poor behavior by David Beckham that will either lead to a suspension or a discrediting of league management. &nbsp;Saturday night saw the best and worst of Beckham: his lovely free kick goal
… and his very public outburst at the end of the game. &nbsp;The video below shows Beckham kicking the ball towards the official and refusing to leave the field during a post-game scrum, both offenses that can lead to suspensions (<a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/video_audio/158432.html" target="_blank">see a better version of the incident here</a>).
Now before getting into my analysis I don’t anyone to take this post as saying Beckham’s a bad guy or a dirty player. &nbsp;To be blunt, the guy’s had a crappy week. &nbsp;Between losing out on his last chance to play international football at a competitive level and enduring an emotional, physical game against a local rival, temperatures were already boiling and some loss of cool not only should be expected, but I even feel for him at some level. &nbsp;That said, it is the level of anger and frustration that is the aim of this post, not that he possessed it.
It also needs to be acknowledged that the end of the game was a debacle. &nbsp;Referee Hilario Grajeda had lost control of this game for a while, and in my opinion Sam Cronin was engaging in a bit of time wasting (especially since he reacts so quickly to the kick). &nbsp;However, such&nbsp;extenuating&nbsp;circumstances do not excuse Beckham’s actions (remember what your mother told you when your older sibling hit you?). &nbsp;In addition to the admittedly well-placed kick at Cronin, Beckham then proceeds to come over to the scrum of players and begin jawing and provoking a fight on the field. &nbsp;Again, he is not singularly at fault for this but he is certainly the catalyst for the ramping-up of the action. &nbsp;As such, he needs to be held responsible for helping scar what turned out to be an incredibly good match.
So what should happen to Beckham? He has already earned a game’s suspension for yellow card accumulation. &nbsp;MLS needs to add on three additional games this week. &nbsp;This season alone, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/brek-shea-gets-three-match-ban-kicking-ball-020420804.html" target="_blank">Brek Shea</a> has been suspended three games for kicking the ball at an official and although seemingly Beckham aimed the kicked at Cronin it definitely hit the official as well. &nbsp;Thus three games plus the automatic makes sense. &nbsp;But what if MLS fails to act or to add a suspension in addition to the already one game? &nbsp;MLS officials will never again be able to defend themselves against charges that they hold Beckham to a higher standard.
What happened on the field on Saturday night was an act of petulance, an action that&nbsp;embarrasses&nbsp;the league and turned a tense match into a spectacle. &nbsp;If the league wants to show its fans that no one is above the law, then it absolutely must extend the suspension. &nbsp;But what do you think?

MLS Must Show Spine and Suspend Beckham

MLS Must Show Spine and Suspend Beckham - World Soccer Talk

Another week, another MLS star goes down with broken bones. &nbsp;This time it was Javier Morales who is out for months after Marcos Mondaini made an aggressive challenge on the midfielder in front of the Chivas net. &nbsp;Morales cut back towards the goal from the wing and Mondaini, beaten on the play, went to ground and caught Morales’ lower leg in between his own, sending the RSL player down in pain. &nbsp;The referee initially brandished a yellow card, but upon closer inspection of the injury, issues a straight red and sent the Chivas forward&nbsp;off.
You can see the video <a href="http://youtu.be/PhKOd8fncjI" target="_blank">here</a>. &nbsp;Warning – the video shows the injury from multiple angles and in slow motion, in addition to in real time. &nbsp;The video is not for the faint of heart, and be warned it is very graphic.
At this point, MLS is still considering punishment for the tackle; Mondaini will certainly get a game for the red card. &nbsp;But how long should the punishment be, now that we have the precedent of the Brian Mullan suspension of ten games for his tackle on Steve Zakuani? &nbsp;There are arguments to be made that it should be shorter and longer than Mullan’s.
Mondaini’s punishment should be equal to or longer than ten games:
<ul>
<li>The tackle was intentional. &nbsp;He was certainly beaten by Morales and right before the tackle looks to try and tug on the jersey to bring him down. &nbsp;Mullan’s was also an intentional tackle, due to the fact he had just lost the ball. &nbsp;MLS has to hand out lengthy suspensions to prevent beaten defenders from taking down quicker players if it is serious about preventing injuries.</li>
<li>Maybe the video missed it, but Mondaini showed little remorse for the tackle. &nbsp;On the field he may have tried to check on on Morales but was seen on video just walking off after he was moved away my teammates. &nbsp;His apology after was bland.</li>
<li>Going off the first point, this is the third major injury to a prominent player in two weeks. &nbsp;Don Garber spoke before the season about the importance of protecting star players; he needs to come down hard on this play to show he is very serious.</li>
</ul>
On the other hand, Mondaini deserves a more lenient punishment than Mullan:
<ul>
<li>The injury was less severe than the Zakuani injury. &nbsp;Although his leg is pointing at a 45 degree angle, Morales only broke some bones in his ankle. &nbsp;Zakuani snapped two bones in his leg, a much more serious injury with a much longer recovery time.</li>
<li>The tackle looks worse in retrospect than it did at the time. &nbsp;Referee Paul Ward initially gave a yellow on the injury. &nbsp;Even Jason Kreis said he did not see the tackle as malicious, according to <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/soccer/news/story?id=6502002" target="_blank">ESPN</a>: “To be honest, I didn’t think it was the most flagrant of fouls. &nbsp;It was from behind, which we’re trying to get out of the game. It’s in the attacking third, and Javi was clearly getting ready to shoot. I understand the urgency of the situation from the defender trying to make the play, and I really don’t think it was that egregious.”</li>
<li>There was a similar situation that occurred recently in MLS, and it was the David Ferreira tackle. &nbsp;Ferreira broke his ankle on a tackle from behind by Jonathan Leathers; Leathers was not disciplined for the tackle.</li>
</ul>
What do you think Marcos Mondaini’s punishment should be?
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What Should Mondaini's Punishment Be for Morales Tackle?

What Should Mondaini's Punishment Be for Morales Tackle? - World Soccer Talk

UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body rendered its verdicts on the proceedings relating to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 27th.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, who was dismissed from the bench in the first leg and made an inappropriate statement during the post-match interview, has been suspended for the next five UEFA club competition matches for which he would be eligible.&nbsp;The suspension includes the one-match ban for the match following the coach’s dismissal, which was served for the return leg in Barcelona on Tuesday.
The ban for a fifth&nbsp;match is suspended for a probationary period of three years. Mourinho has also been fined 50,000 Euros.
Real Madrid defender Pepe, who was sent off &nbsp;in the first leg match, has been suspended for one UEFA competition match. However, as he did not take part in the second leg in Barcelona, he is considered to have served this suspension. Real Madrid have also been fined 20,000 Euros for improper conduct of their supporters.
Barcelona goalkeeper José Pinto, who received a red card for a sideline altercation at half-time of&nbsp;the first leg match in Madrid, received a three-match suspension. He has already served a one-match ban for the return leg, so he will now also be suspended for the UEFA Champions League final on May 28th and the next UEFA club competition match for which he would be eligible.
Real released a statement on the club website which reads: “Real Madrid considers this resolution still suffers from the same defects found at the start of the disciplinary case, which made it impossible for our coach to use his right to defend himself, since the exact statements for which the disciplinary case was opened are still unknown. Real Madrid will appeal this decision before the UEFA appeals body.”

Mourinho Receives 5-Match Ban

Mourinho Receives 5-Match Ban - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 159px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a title="Steve Zakuani goes orange by WSDOT, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/5598212585/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5598212585_cd0d8e1cdf_m.jpg" alt="Steve Zakuani goes orange" width="149" height="240"></figure></div></a>Photo by WSDOT</div>
MLS has handed down the punishment for last weekend’s tackle by Brian Mullan that broke Steve Zakuani’s leg, and it’s a doosy. &nbsp;The league suspended the veteran midfielder for an additional 9 games on top of his one game red card suspension and fined him $5,000 (plus $250 for the red card). &nbsp;The suspension is the longest for an on-the-ball tackle and equals the longest MLS suspension ever: Ricardo Clark was suspended nine games for kicking Carlos Ruiz during a match in 2007.
“The Committee felt the egregious nature of the foul and the severity of the injury warranted the discipline issued,” executive vice president of competition and game operations Nelson Rodriguez said in a statement <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-suspends-mullan-additional-nine-games" target="_blank">on the MLS website</a>. “The Committee believes the challenge showed an utter disregard for Zakuani’s safety.”
Brian Mullan does not have a reputation as a violent player in MLS, in fact his last red card was in 2006. &nbsp;However, the horrific nature of the tackle and the desire by MLS to quash such incidents as much as possible led to this suspension. &nbsp;It is hard to argue that a suspension was not warranted, but it’s easy to make the case that MLS was reacting to the result and not the play itself. &nbsp;Maybe, though, that is eaxctly what MLS needs to do.
What’s telling is the fine – Mullan’s fine was less than Clark’s $10,000 fine.
What do you think? &nbsp;Was the penalty to harsh, too lenient, or did MLS get it right?
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Was Brian Mullan's Punishment Too Harsh?

Was Brian Mullan's Punishment Too Harsh? - World Soccer Talk

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