Events are moving so rapidly in Eastern Europe it is almost facile to be reporting on the Europa League Cup, but as things unravel ALL Russian based football clubs will be subject to 'sanctions' that are currently being deliberated upon by UEFA and FIFA.
Of course from an entirely footballing perspective, we are only interested in how events in the Ukraine regions effect West Ham United, we will leave the political posturing for the bafoons and baboons who run governments around the globe. The team managed by Hammers nemesis Manuel Pellegtini, Real Betis, are due to play their 2nd round tie for the last 16 of the Europa League this evening, away to Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.
There is a distinct possibility that the game might be postponed at the final hour, depending on what happens during the day diplomatically. It is almost guaranteed that teams based in Russia WILL be banned from ALL non domestic competition unless a compromise is reached, and that looks incredibly doubtful.
Irrespective of Betis's result tonight, they would end up going through by default as Zenit's score would be expunged, they currently trail Betis 3-2 from the 1st leg. Sheriff is another club likely to face sanction even though the Moldovan club is based in Tiraspol, a city located in the unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria.
So both Zenit and Sherrif face expulsion from the UEFA Europa League Cup, with Betis and Sporting Braga both being given 'byes' for tonight's games if as expected they don't go ahead. -Ed
