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The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Global soccer’s governing body FIFA brought down its biggest hammer of all on Monday, banning Russia from its competitions “until further notice” over the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The ban is expected to knock Russia’s men’s national team out of next month’s World Cup qualifying playoffs, and thus out of the World Cup in Qatar that starts in November — though the statement did not officially say so. FIFA was joined in its order by UEFA, the continental governing body of European soccer. The decision will likely expel Russia’s women’s team from this summer’s European Championship, and expe…