The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced that Russia's men's and women's national teams will compete in next year's Volleyball Nations League, ending a suspension from international competition that has lasted since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
At the same time, the FIVB said Russian players will not take part in next year's World Championship, which is being hosted by Poland. According to the governing body, the Russian volleyball federation itself withdrew from the tournament, citing concerns for the safety of its players and staff.
Decision draws controversy
The FIVB's move to readmit Russia to the Nations League has proven highly controversial in the volleyball world, with uncertainty over how rival players and fans inside arenas will react to the presence of Russian athletes. Some observers have suggested the Russian federation's withdrawal from the Poland tournament may also be connected to the race to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, according to reporting by Dawid Franek for Sport.pl.
Spiridonov hits out
Russian international Aleksiej Spiridonov, 38, criticized his federation's decision. He has previously been known for contemptuous remarks about Poland, and he spat at a fan in the Atlas Arena after Russia's defeat to Poland at the 2014 World Championship in Łódź, an incident that further damaged his standing in the country.
Speaking to Russian media, Spiridonov said the federation had made the wrong call by refusing to take part in the World Championship in Poland. He said that since Russia had been allowed to compete, it made no difference whether the team played in Poland, Italy or on the moon, and insisted Russia had to play.
Spiridonov also pointed back to the 2014 tournament, recalling that Russia had already played in Poland at a time of conflict over Crimea and that it had not been easy, but the team had gone ahead regardless. He said Russia had to go and play, adding that the team would be among the favourites, as always.
Championship schedule
Next year's World Championship in Poland is scheduled to run from 10 to 26 September. Matches will be staged in Gdańsk (Ergo Arena), Olsztyn (Hala Urania), Łódź (Atlas Arena), Katowice (Spodek) and Kraków (Tauron Arena), with the medal matches taking place in Kraków.
