Business of Sport: The reality is that Russia remains one of the most powerful forces in European football

Uefa’s refusal to give Russia the red card

Advertisement of the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom displayed on an advertising during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen first leg match at Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid. Picture date: Wednesday February 23, 2022. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

BY terminating one of the largest sponsorships in European sport, stripping the Champions League final from St Petersburg, and throwing Russian teams out of European competition, you might expect that Uefa has washed itself of Russia.

On the contrary.