UEFA is set to remove Spartak Moscow from this season’s Europa League in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian side were set to play RB Leipzig in the last 16, with the second leg scheduled to be played on March 17. No official confirmation has been made by UEFA.
Discussions are ongoing about whether RB Leipzig will get a bye through to the quarter-finals, or whether another team will be re-instated to play them.
A statement from RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said: “We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in UEFA and their decision. We assume the games will be cancelled.”
Spartak progressed to the knockout stages after winning Group C, which also included Leicester.
They lost 4-3 at home to the Foxes – with Patson Daka scoring all of the Premier League side’s goals – before drawing 1-1 at the King Power Stadium.
UEFA is trying to organise an emergency Executive Committee meeting for Tuesday. The move comes as more and more European associations are announcing they will not play Russia.
