I Know Sport And Politics Shouldn't Mix.....

[Ken4155]

.................but it is sometimes unavoidable.

F1 has yet to do likewise regards the Russian Grand Prix set to take place in September. Some drivers have stated they will not compete.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=eufa+move+champions+league+final+to+paris&cvid=5a985fc2c97c4b31837d68c41d186e54&aqs=edge..69i57.7676j0j1&pglt=43&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=LCTS

[youngmafbog]

I think its a bit too early at the moment. If Russia continues its aggression then yup, they will pull it. But a week is a long time in politics let alone 7 months. After all we may all get lucky and Putins noggin stops a bullet.

[Mozz71]

I don't think Russia will be seeing any sport for a while. F1 have time on their side as the Russian Grand Prix isn't due for six months, but it would look better on them to act quickly in postponing it.

[Ken4155]

YMF, that bullet would have to come from one of his own:-(

I wonder where the drivers stand from a legal point of view should they refuse to attend the Russian Grand Prix?

[ichkeria]

Sport and politics at a certain level are inseparable.

This is a good example, but there are practical considerations also here.
Russia faces isolation for an indefinite period.

[Mozz71]

I doubt if the drivers have any obligation to drive in Russia with the FIA, but may face the wrath of their teams. I suspect though, given the circumstances of what's happening in Ukraine, they would not be penalised at all.

[Stickybottle]

I read somewhere last night that 4 European countries would not be playing their qualifying matches in Russia

Russia will not hold a major sporting event for a decade at least
That or until Mad Vlad is long gone

[Stickybottle]

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2022-qualifiers-playoffs-russia-b2022568.html?amp

[Mozz71]

Sticky, the two Russian teams left in European competitions have to play their home games at a neutral venue, not sure about the international teams in the Nations League games. Personally I think they should through the Russians out.

[ToraToraTora]

The world needs to start treating Russia like they treated apartheid South Africa. Yes pull the GP and anything else.

[Mozz71]

*throw not through.

[Stickybottle]

I totally agree Mozz

It is sad that ordinary Russians have to suffer but that is the way of the world
Mad Vlad has made them a pariah state now and I predict no major sporting even there for a decade as I said
Or until Putin is gone and Russia has at least a semi-sane person at the helm

[calmck]

News flash just cancelled Grand Prix

[sevenOP]

"I Know Sport And Politics Shouldn't Mix....."

How do you "Know" ?

Cultural hegemony, perhaps ?

[jno]

///Formula One has cancelled the Russian Grand Prix after the state’s invasion of Ukraine. The sport did not issue any condemnation of Russia but cited the “impossibility” of holding the race under the current circumstances.///

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/25/russian-grand-prix-set-for-switch-turkey-after-ukraine-invasion-motor-sport-formula-one-f1

[Ken4155]

^
Good

[Bazile]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/60523049

[Ken4155]

SevenOP, perhaps i should have said, "I 'believe' sport and politics shouldn't mix".
Because i do believe so.

[jno]

depends what you mean by political, Ken, but politics these days is closely tied to nationalism (Make America Great Again! Make Russia Great Again! Make Britain Great Again!) and so is sport. Nations are judged by how well they stage the Olympics as much as by how their teams do in them.

I never had a problem with boycotting apaartheid South Africa - in fact I was in favour years before anyone actually did it - and I have no problem with canning football and F1 events in Russia now.

[Ken4155]

I was speaking in general terms, jno. As i said in my first sentence, "it is sometimes unavoidable." As in the current situation.

[Cloverjo]

I agree that F1 shouldn’t go ahead in Russia.

When it comes to politics and boycotting the Olympics, say, I would be edging towards the other way. Athletes have trained hard for years to get there. Their dreams would be shattered, whereas F1 drivers can always pitch up somewhere else soon.