RUSSIA TO APPEAL FOOTBALL BAN IMPOSED BY FIFA AND UEFA — BBC Sport
The Russian Football Union said it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to appeal against its ban from international competitions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Monday, Russian football clubs and national teams were suspended from all competitions “until further notice” by FIFA and UEFA. The union said it would file one lawsuit against football’s world and European governing bodies, demanding Russia’s men’s and women’s national teams be allowed to compete. Russia wants its national teams reinstated to play their men’s World Cup play-off matches next month and the women’s team included in Euro 2022.
The Russian Football Union said FIFA and UEFA “did not have a legal basis when deciding on the removal of Russian teams,” and that Russia was “not given the right to present its position, which violated the fundamental right to defence.” Several nations including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden, had refused to play against Russia. The 2022 Champions League final, originally due to be played in St Petersburg on 28 May, has also been moved to Paris.
ROD MARSH: LEGENDARY AUSTRALIA WICKETKEEPER DIES AGED 74 — BBC Sport
Legendary Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh has died aged 74 after suffering a heart attack. Marsh was taken ill last Thursday while travelling to a charity cricket match in Queensland. He effected 355 dismissals — a world record at the time of his retirement — in 96 Test appearances for Australia from 1970 to 1984, and also played 92 one-day internationals. He formed a formidable partnership with fast bowler Dennis Lillee, combining for a record 95 Test dismissals. He later became the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century and the first keeper to claim 100 dismissals in Ashes Tests. Australia Test great Mark Waugh described Marsh as “an absolute icon” of the sport.