MOSCOW, May 13The International Rugby Board (World Rugby) has rejected the appeal of the Russian Rugby Federation (RFR) against the decision to remove Russian teams from competitions and suspend membership in the organization, said Kirill Yashenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Rugby Supreme Council. On March 1, World Rugby decided to deprive Russia of membership in the organization until further notice. Teams and clubs from Russia and Belarus are suspended from all international rugby tournaments. The FRR filed an appeal with CAS on March 22. «Yesterday, a World Rugby meeting took place, during which the issue of Russia was considered. Let me remind you that on February 28, the executive committee decided that our membership was suspended and all clubs and teams were excluded from all international competitions under auspices of World Rugby. Yesterday, unfortunately, our arguments were not heard, our complaints and objections were left unsatisfied, the decision of the executive committee was left in force and unchanged, «said Yashenkov, quoted by the press service of the Rugby. According to Yashenkov , before the meeting, some members of the World Rugby board supported the position of the Rugby, but in the end, under pressure, three-quarters of the votes against the appeal were gained. «Just before the meeting, I had conversations with some board members. On the sidelines, many supported our country, our federation. promised, but assumed that they would vote and support (the Russian side) I hope that this was the case, but we must It can be assumed that three-quarters of the votes were against. If we talk about the reasons for this decision, then perhaps we need to look at the leadership of the World Rugby Council. Then we see that the leadership of the organization coincides with the leadership of the executive committee. In my opinion, it is obvious that desk work was carried out, they could not flog themselves. The World Rugby Council is under the influence of Great Britain and its former so-called colonies, which are at the head of all sanctions measures against our country. I think this is the reason,» Yashenkov said. «Next week we will hold consultations with the Ministry of Sports, after which we will decide on our further actions. My opinion has not changed, we must defend our rights to the end, and since we have reason to go to one of the Irish courts, we must go there and move. I am deeply convinced that there is no legal basis for such a strict decision regarding the federation. It was possible to endure less severe, it was possible not to endure at all. The Olympic Committee only accepted the recommendation. I am very interested in what the court will say and what World Rugby will say in court,» Yashenkov added.
