UEFA blocks Ukrainian and Russian teams from playing each other

UEFA has barred Ukrainian and Russian clubs from playing each other "until further notice" because of the unrest between the neighboring countries, UEFA's Emergency Panel announced Thursday.

UEFA, European football's governing body, made the evaluation "in light of the current political situation" and after the Russian Football Union and the Football Federation of Ukraine "expressed concerns about safety and security."

The Champions League third qualifying round draw scheduled for Friday will not allow Zenit Saint Petersburg and Ukrainian club Dnipro to be paired in a match.

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The panel also banned Israeli teams from playing European matches at home while the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.

- Scooby Axson