Poland National Soccer Team
FILE - Ukraine supporters unfurl a "Stop War" banner on the stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Armenia, in Lodz, Poland, on June 11, 2022. One year after the invasion of Ukraine began, Russia's reintegration into the world of sports threatens to create the biggest rift in the Olympic movement since the Cold War. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk)
Russia's sports exile persists 1 year after invading Ukraine

By The Associated Press Feb. 22, 2023 09:25 AM EST

A man walks past the Gazprom Arena, the stadium that was supposed to host the Champions League 2022 final soccer match in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 28, 2022, with a sculpture of one of Bolshevik's leader Sergei Kirov in the foreground. UEFA removed Saint Petersburg as the host of the final due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian crisis. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
Sports court sets July dates for Russian soccer ban appeals

By Graham Dunbar Jun. 22, 2022 08:02 AM EDT

A screen shows support to Ukraine before the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Russia ready again for urgent court case over World Cup ban

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 04, 2022 12:40 AM EST

FILE Poland's Robert Lewandowski controls the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between Poland and England, at the Narodowy stadium in Warsaw, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021. Poland is refusing to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish soccer federation president said Saturday, Feb, 26, 2022. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, the nation's all-time leading scorer, immediately responded to say it's the “right decision!” (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)
England vs Poland 9/8/2021

Feb. 26, 2022 11:46 AM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 file photo the Henri Delaunay Trophy is displayed on the stage at the Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland. France won the last major international soccer tournament — the World Cup in 2018 — by defending compactly, hitting teams on the break with clinical finishing, and being effective at set pieces. What will the winning approach be at the European Championship? (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
EURO 2020: Capsules for teams at the European Championship

By The Associated Press Jun. 04, 2021 11:54 AM EDT