Nik Gable
Reporter
You can’t escape the conflict that is going on in Ukraine.
Even when I went to the local Buffalo Wild Wings, a safe place for me, there was coverage of the war on the biggest screen they have.Â
On the 24th of February Russia invaded Ukraine in an attempt to take control of the country. Across the world many were quick to condemn the war. Lots of Russian athletes haven’t come out against the Putin regime, so when Russian soccer player Fedor Smolov did so it was a shock. Coming out against the war is akin to coming out against Putin himself. This is a dangerous act in a country which under Putin has put opposition leaders in prison.Â
Smolov wasn’t a part of a wave of Russian athletes who came out against the war, rather he was one of few. Many high profiled Russian athletes are friends with Putin himself. This creates a conflict of interest and an awkward situation for many of those athletes who fear speaking out. The Sports world has constantly taken money from Russian owners without asking about connections with Putin. The sports world has taken Russian money from various soccer clubs being owned by Russian billionaires, to recent major sporting events such as the Winter Olympics and World Cup being hosted in Russia.
When the war broke out, many called out various Russian owners, in particular English soccer club owner Roman Abramovich. Abramovich has owned Chelsea FC since the early 2000’s. He has overseen immense success since buying them, most recently winning the Champions League last season. Wednesday, after calls for his assets to be seized, Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale. No one will feel sorry for the man who is set to make at least $2 billion dollars. Chelsea now enters a period of massive uncertainty with one of the highest wage bills in Europe. It remains to be seen if the new owners will be committed to spending as much as Abramovich did during his time as owner.Â
In other parts of world soccer there have been various attempts by clubs and federations to distance themselves from Russian money. One such move has been moving this year’s Champions League final from St. Petersburg to Paris. In possibly the biggest move of all, FIFA (the governing body of world soccer) banned the Russian national soccer team from qualifying for this year’s World Cup.Â
In America, Russian hockey players have been subjected to abuse from fans. The previously mentioned Ovechkin and other players have been dropped by sponsors. Many other sports bodies such as the IOC and Formula One Racing have either condemned the invasion or taken actions to remove Russian influence in their sport. Formula One (F1) racer Nikita Mazepin was banned from competition this season and has recently been put on the EU blacklist.
The question that people are asking is: Is it fair to punish individuals who have nothing to do with the war? The “cancellation” of Russian athletes is all part of a larger scheme to isolate Russia in hopes they give up their efforts in the war. I believe the bans are justified. Putin has consistently hid behind Russian athletes and used them as political tools. Russian athletes have been held up by the west, like Ovechkin, without us questioning their relationship with Putin. This war is resulting in civilian lives being lost, and displacing millions of Ukrainians from their home. Russia must face the consequences of its actions. As frustrating as it may be for those athletes who are sanctioned from sports despite not having any Kremlin connections, the goal is peace and this must be achieved at all costs.
