Premier League, FA Cup and EFL football matches won't be shown in Russia following Ukraine invasion

Premier League and FA Cup football matches will not be shown on Russian television, while EFL matches will not be able to be streamed in the country, following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Premier League has suspended its agreement with broadcast partner Rambler (Okko Sport), while it is understood the Football Association has also suspended its partnership with Russian broadcasters over rights for the FA Cup with immediate effect, while the EFL has withdrawn access to its iFollow and other club streaming services in Russia.The Premier League's decision was made at a shareholders’ meeting in London on Tuesday, where all 20 clubs were in agreement.

The Premier League will also donate £1million to support the people affected by the war.

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A statement read: “The Premier League and its clubs today unanimously agreed to suspend our agreement with Russian broadcast partner Rambler (Okko Sport) with immediate effect and to donate £1 million to support the people of Ukraine.

“The League strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those impacted.

“The £1 million donation will be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need.”

The move comes after there was league-wide support for Ukraine over the weekend, where club captains wore special armbands, messages of support were displayed on big screens and there was a moment of reflection before kick-off at each of the 10 games.

The statement added: “This message of solidarity was visible to fans around the world across Premier League digital channels and via match broadcasts.

“This is in addition to the numerous ways in which clubs continue to display their support.”

A statement from the EFL read: “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the region, the EFL has suspended the broadcast feeds of its matches in the Russian Federation.

“Access to the EFL’s iFollow service and other Club streaming services have also been withdrawn in the territory.

“Echoing the views of the Premier League and other organisations around the world, the EFL remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict. As has been demonstrated at EFL grounds around the country, ‘Football Stands Together’ with the people of Ukraine and all those impacted.”

The government has endorsed the Premier League’s decision, with sports minister Nigel Huddleston saying Russian president Vladimir Putin must remain a “pariah”.

He said: “This is absolutely the right thing to do and we fully support the Premier League’s decision to stop broadcasting matches in Russia in response to Putin’s barbaric, senseless invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia cannot be allowed to legitimise its illegal war through sport and culture, and we must work together to ensure Putin remains a pariah on the international stage.”

Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine has been postponed, the PA news agency understands.

The Ukraine football authorities made a request to FIFA last week to postpone the game, which is scheduled for March 24 at Hampden.

The world governing body is expected to confirm the postponement soon.

The winners of the game were scheduled to meet Wales or Austria in a play-off final on March 29.

The Scottish Football Association has been in regular contact with both FIFA and UEFA since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to discuss both the play-off game and a women’s World Cup qualifier between the two countries, which is scheduled for April 8.

Scotland captains Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie last week expressed their solidarity with Ukraine’s footballers.

The men’s team are also due to host Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League on June 7 but their World Cup play-off looks likely to be moved to that month.

Scotland are also due to play the Republic of Ireland plus a double header against Armenia in June’s Nations League schedule.