Belarus ordered to play World Cup home qualifiers in Russia

Updated Jul. 31, 2021 7:17 a.m. ET
Associated Press

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Belgium and Wales will go to neutral Russia to face Belarus in World Cup qualifying games because of travel sanctions imposed after a commercial passenger flight was diverted to Minsk.

UEFA said Saturday the city of Kazan will stage Belarus' “home” games against Wales on Sept. 5 and Belgium on Sept. 8. Belgium leads the five-team group.

The European Union imposed limits on airspace to punish Belarus for diverting a Lithuania-bound flight to Mink in May

Clubs from Belarus have this month had their home games in European competitions moved to Armenia and Serbia.

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Belarus has been

Lukashenko was barred from attending the Tokyo Games by the International Olympic Committee. He led the Belarus Olympic committee from the 1990s until this year.

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