FIFA has finally acted against Russia, but it doesn't undo a long history of cosying up to Putin
- Written by Keith Rathbone, Senior Lecturer, Modern European History and Sports History, Macquarie University

Under intense international pressure, FIFA made an abrupt about-face this week and suspended Russia’s teams from international football. The move means Russia will not have a chance to compete in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
For decades, soccer’s global governing body has avowed sporting neutrality, preferring not to...