A Look At The Russian-Ukraine War On Sports

Following the announcement of a military operation against Ukraine by Russian president Vladimir Putin, it is reasonable to expect that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will have an impact on sports.

Economic effect on sports:

Numerous international sports federations severed their ties with Russia and prohibited its national teams from competing in international competitions as a result of the widespread global outcry against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

This conflict has forced the relocation of numerous sporting events that were supposed to take place in Russia, including the UEFA Champions League, Formula 1 Grand Prix, IJF Grand Slam, the Paralympics, and many others.

The sports industry will lose millions of dollars due to broken sponsorship deals, including the one between UEFA & Gazprom, the one between Manchester United & Aeroflot and many others.

Effects on fan engagement:

Even though sports can be a haven and escape from the outside world, it cannot keep fans attention away from this war. 

Fan engagement appears to have remained constant, but in reality, there has been a significant shift. The conflict has had a negative impact on the interest in sports in both countries. There has been a marked decrease in the number of people attending sporting events and participating in sports activities. This is due to the fact that the conflict has caused a decrease in the number of people who are willing to travel

The Ukrainian Premier League has started games again without fans in the field. Fans living in Ukraine are either displaced, living in fear or hiding in shelters to avoid bombs.

Also this has also, indirectly affected the fans living outside Ukraine in so many ways and one of them Is Inflation. Since the war has increased inflation, it has forced fans to reduce elective spending on sporting goods like event tickets and sports apparel. This is because prices and necessary household expenses are rising more quickly than incomes.

Effect on athletes:

Numerous Ukrainian athletes have been compelled to fight on the front lines since the start of this conflict in order to defend their homeland. According to a statement from the Ukraine Ministry of Youth and Sports, 133 Ukrainian athletes and coaches are among those who have lost their lives in this war.

Actions taken by sports governing bodies, such as the exclusion of Russian soccer clubs and national teams from all FIFA and UEFA competitions and the exclusion of Russian athletes from the upcoming Paralympic Games, will undoubtedly have an impact on these athletes' development and performance when and if they eventually return.

It's a challenging time for Russian and Ukrainian athletes, who frequently have no vote as to what their governments do abroad and wind up as collateral damage.

Among other things, this war has also affected sports policy on neutrality over politics. Sports leagues like FIFA, has a strong position of not interfering with politics but these policy seems to have been changed now as Russian team's has been banned from football until further notice

Any time a geopolitical crisis arises, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sports activities inevitably suffer collateral damage. One thing is certain in the midst of all the ambiguity: sports will continue to be a representation of unity and a stage for the expression of patriotism.