Stay denied in Russia football case, teams won't compete in World Cups

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ('CAS') said Russian football's appeal against the exclusion of its World Cup teams is not without merit but denied their stay request anyway because their qualification was still "hypothetical". The ruling means the Russian teams cannot realistically participate in the World Cups, even if successful in the substantive proceedings, because FIFA cannot practically enter them at such a late stage.

The now published interim decision, which under CAS Rules is dealt with by the President of the Appeals Arbitration Division ('President') solely, saw the Football Union of Russia ('FUR') protesting their exclusion from events like the upcoming men's and women's FIFA World Cups.