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In more bad news for ordinary Russian citizens who want no part in President Vladimir Putin's aggressive invasion of Ukraine, WWE has said it will no longer broadcast events in the country.
The wrestling association said that "effective immediately" it would shut down the WWE Network in Russia and remove access to its on-demand library.
A statement reads: “WWE has terminated its partnership with Russian broadcaster Match and shut down WWE Network in Russia effective immediately.
"The move eliminates access in Russia to any WWE programming, including the company’s weekly Raw, SmackDown and NXT shows, its on-demand library, and all of its premium live events, including WrestleMania 38 .”
The WWE's dramatic move is just the latest in a series of sporting sanctions that have dished out to the country since their invasion began.
On Friday (February 25), UEFA made the decision to strip Russia of the 2022 Champions League final.
The showpiece event was set to take place in the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28, but will now be moved elsewhere, with both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United offering to assume hosting duties.
The FA have also blocked Russia from facing England in matches at all levels for the foreseeable future, in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
And it could see the Lionesses refuse to face Russia on home soil, should they end up being drawn against them in the knockout stages of this summer's Euros.
An FA statement said: "Out of solidarity with the Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership, the FA can confirm that we won't play against Russia in any international fixtures for the forseeable future. This includes at any level of senior, age group or para football."
Meanwhile over in motorsports, Formula One announced it will not return to Russia in the future.
The Russian Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place in late September, was already axed for the 2022 season earlier this week.
Russian army fighting to take Europe's biggest nuclear power plant, warns Ukraine
And now, a fresh F1 statement on Russia has announced: “Formula 1 can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future.”
The Grand Prix, held in the resort city of Sochi, is now the latest in a long-list of sanctions and bans given to all-things Russian across various sporting events in recent days.
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- Raw
- Smackdown
- Wrestlemania
- Vladimir Putin
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