Russia Ban alert: UEFA bans Russian football clubs from all competitions and the strange case of match-fixing by Ksenia Palkina

UEFA and FIFA had earlier suspended the Russian national team and clubs from participating in international football "until further notice" in February after Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to enter Ukraine in what he claims to be a special operation to de-nazify Ukraine. In a statement, UEFA said, "Russia will have no affiliated clubs participating in UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season.

Zenit Saint Petersburg, who won their fourth consecutive Russian Premier League title on April 30, would have taken part in the 2022-23 Championship League. The Russian Premier League season had continued following the war. However, the Ukrainian Premier League was called off without being crowned a winner.

The governing body also confirmed that Portugal would replace the Russian team in the Women's European Championship set to take place in England in July. Portugal, who had lost to the Russian squad during the qualifiers, will take the spot of Russia alongside Sweden, Switzerland and 2019 World Cup runners-up the Netherlands in Group C.

Russia's bid to host either the 2028 or 2032 European Championship was also declared "not eligible" by UEFA.

FIFA earlier kicked out the Russian national team from the qualifying competition for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before a crucial qualifier against Poland in Match. Results of matches played by the Russian squad in the qualifying competition for the 2023 Women's World Cup have also been considered null and void.

The Russian Football Federation appealed the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision but eventually dropped the legal challenge last month.

The exclusion of Russia from qualifying for the next Under-21 European Championship and its absence from the Nations League has also been confirmed by UEFA's statement.

UEFA expressed that the decision to declare the bid of Russia for the European Championship invalid was taken because the host nation is guaranteed automatic qualification. But the ongoing suspension of Russia means that the governing body can not be sure if Russia will be allowed to return to the international fold by then.

The United Kingdom, in a joint bid with Ireland and Turkey, have shown interest in hosting the 2028 Euro Championship.

Tennis star Ksenia Palkina was hit with a 16-year ban after the match-fixing scandal.

Kyrgyzstani tennis player Ksenia Palkina has been banned from competing in Tennis events for 16 years for match-fixing. The earlier world No. 163 was also fined Euro 1,42,000 six years of the ban and suspended a fine of Euro 1,24,000.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency imposed the penalties for the crime she admitted to in 2018 and 2019. Ksenia Palkina violated the principles set by the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

The suspension of the Russian-born Kyrgyzstani tennis player dated to the beginning of her interim suspension on November 22, 2019. The International Tennis Integrity Agency also decided that she will be allowed to resume playing as long as she does not violate the rules of the tennis anti-corruption program.

The band prohibits her from participating in tennis events organised by the global tennis governing bodies or the national association until November 21, 2029. By the time Ksenia Palkina is allowed to return to the court, she will be 39 years old, and thus her tennis career is almost over.

Ksenia Palkina violated four sections of the principles set by the tennis anti-corruption program : 

• 2018 and 2019 TACP D.1.d states: "No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive, attempt to contrive, agree to contrive, or conspire to contrive the outcome, or any other aspect, of any Event."
• 2018 and 2019 TACP D.1.e states: "No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, facilitate, or conspire to solicit or facilitate any Player to not use their best efforts in any Event.

She also violated 2018 and 2019 TACP D.1.f and section D.2.a.i which cover soliciting money for not putting in the perfect effort and failure to report any such incident to the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

Since then, Ksenia Palkina turned pro in 2006 and has won USD 2,20,000 in prize money. She has won 11 singles titles, and 27 doubles titles on the Women's World Tennis Tour organised by International Tennis Federation. She reached her best career singles ranking of World No. 163 in 2019 and her best WTA doubles ranking of 164th in April 2010.