Calls Grow for FIVB to Remove Russia as World Championships Host

Players, teams and officials from around the world are expressing their outrage and calling on the FIVB to take a strong stance against Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, the International Volleyball Federation announced that due to the “worsening situation in Ukraine” the two rounds of the upcoming Volleyball Nations League that were to be held in Russia this summer, would be relocated. But, for many in the volleyball world, that doesn’t go far enough.

The FIVB Men’s World Championship is scheduled to be held in Russia between August 26 and September 11. While there have been many unconfirmed reports circulating online that the FIVB will be moving the host venue out of Russia – there has been no confirmation of this from the FIVB.

Many countries have stated they will not be joining the World Championships if Russia remains the host country. The USA, Poland, France, Slovenia and Netherlands are among those countries voicing their opposition. Volleyball superstars such as France’s Earvin Ngapeth and Poland’s Michal Kubiak and Andrezej Wrona have all taken to social media calling for a boycott of the World Championships.

Though Russia is no longer permitted to host any of the upcoming Volleyball Nations League matches, they are still allowed to compete in VNL – and that doesn’t sit well with many countries either. Poland has put out an official statement that they will “not engage in sport competition against teams from Russia and from the countries that support Kremlin’s aggression.”

As for here at home, Volleyball Canada CEO Mark Eckert says he has been in contact with the FIVB and Canada has formally supported the exclusion of Russia from hosting VNL as well as any other major events including the Men’s World Championships. Just today, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Athlete’s Commission issued a joint statement urging “all Canadian National Sport Organizations and organizations hosting international sporting events in Canada to immediately rescind invitations and bar the participation of athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus.”

The Canadian Women’s team is currently scheduled to play against Russia in the Volleyball Nations League on June 18th in the Philippines.

“We stand with our government and sport partners in condemning the actions of Russia and this would extend to not playing the Russian team (s).” Mark Eckert, Volleyball Canada.

Just days ago the FIVB issued a statement saying “the FIVB believes that sport should always remain separate from politics.” However, with this kind of strong international pressure and growing calls for a boycott from so many participating countries – it seems inevitable the federation will look to change venues for the World Championships. Whether or not the FIVB will ban Russia from participating in these international events is another matter.

Other sports federations have already announced they are cancelling all competitions at Russian venues, and some have banned Russia from participating in international events – including FIFA who has expelled Russia from the upcoming World Cup.