Priti Patel has cancelled visas issued to Belarus’ males’s basketball workforce over their nation’s help for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, on a day the place the sporting world confirmed its disdain for Russia’s aggression within the area.
The Belarus workforce had been because of play Britain in Newcastle in a world cup qualifier on Monday. The match was postponed on Friday by the Worldwide Basketball Federation after an “analysis of the present safety state of affairs”. The Netherlands’ scheduled match towards Russia, scheduled to happen on Saturday, was additionally pulled.
On Saturday, the Norwegian Ski Federation stated it doesn’t need Russian athletes competing at upcoming world cup races and world championships in Norway. In the meantime the soccer associations of Poland and Sweden united in statements saying they refuse to play Russia in playoffs for the World Cup 2022.
Patel, the UK’s house secretary, tweeted: “I’ve cancelled the visas of the Belarusian Males’s Basketball Crew who have been because of play in Newcastle.
“The UK won’t welcome the nationwide sports activities groups of these nations who’re complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine.”
In an announcement, Norway’s skiiing federation stated: “Russia’s violations of worldwide legislation and assaults on the Ukrainian folks demand worldwide condemnation and sanctions. Sport isn’t indifferent from this and can’t stay passive to what’s occurring now.
“The Norwegian Ski Federation’s message to Russia and Russian athletes is crystal clear – we are not looking for your participation.”
Norway is scheduled to host occasions in Alpine snowboarding, cross nation snowboarding, ski leaping and Nordic mixed over the following few weeks. The federation added that it could observe up with the worldwide physique, the Worldwide Ski Federation (FIS).
On Friday FIS cancelled all remaining competitions of the 2021-22 season that have been to be held in Russia however stated Russian athletes can proceed to take part in its competitions, consistent with Worldwide Olympic Committee suggestions for worldwide sports activities federations.
Whereas recommending that Russia’s athletes be allowed to take part in occasions, the IOC urged federations to both transfer or cancel competitions at the moment deliberate in Russia or Belarus.