Spanish footballer Hector Bellerin weighed in on the decision to bar the Russian national team from international competition. His remarks were reported by Estadio Deportivo.
The Arsenal veteran, now on loan at Real Betis for the current season, described the sanctions as a form of racism that kept Russia from competing in the qualifying quest for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “There is little sympathy here. We only care about what happens next to us”, he stated, underscoring how national teams focus on present and future matchups rather than past decisions.
Since joining Arsenal in 2013, Bellerin has built a career that includes a bronze medal with Spain at the European Youth Championship and a call-up to the senior squad for Euro 2016. His perspective comes from a player who has experienced both club and national-team duties across Europe, including seasons when club loans were a routine part of development.
In March, FIFA announced that the Polish national team would automatically advance to the finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The original plan had Poland and Russia contesting a decisive qualifier on March 24, but Russia was disqualified, effectively cancelling the match and reshaping the path to qualification for all involved. This decision marked a significant shift in the competitive landscape for European national teams during that qualifying cycle.
Note: The information here reflects coverage from Estadio Deportivo and subsequent federation announcements related to the 2022 World Cup qualifying process, including how Russia’s absence altered the qualification timeline for other nations.