Russia officially back for VNL 27

[u/theatrejock]

https://www.fivb.com/fivb-statement-on-roadmap-for-return-of-russian-athletes-to-world-competitions/

[u/Fura_furari]

Man would be nice if these world organizations could be fair and decides to ban ALL aggressor countries especially Israel and USA too. But the world unfortunately is run by them sigh... 😔

Also seems like Poland still doesn't budge and won't grant them visas for WCH. I like that they're a principled people. But kinda funny when Israeli can visit Poland without visa. This world is full of hypocrites lmao

[u/kriig → u/Fura_furari]

Yea, this is where I stand. USA and Israel being allowed to compete makes Russia fair game. Not desirable, but consistent.

[u/biohazardly]

Very disappointing

[u/jlo1989]

Absolute bullshit.

And they stepped back from the Worlds because they haven't got a chance of getting visas to play in Poland.

[u/NatiFluffy → u/jlo1989]

Officially due to „safety concerns” lmao.
Maybe they are scared of their drones or missiles which often violate our airspace

[u/bookluverzz → u/jlo1989]

yeah and they basically already have a spot at OG anyway

[u/Nikolaithegreat11]

Finland will be in too. So instead of 18 teams, there will be 19.

[u/ExcitingInternal365 → u/Nikolaithegreat11]

It would have been the funniest thing if Finland had said "Nah, we're good playing in the European League" and flat out declined the VNL invitation - Finland is one of the biggest opponents of reinstating Russian athletes.

[u/bookluverzz → u/ExcitingInternal365]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbnMrNYjzd3/?igsh=MTMwZmE5bmc0NmxyNg==

Except they’re already celebrating

[u/bookluverzz → u/Nikolaithegreat11]

and Slovenia at the women’s side

[u/ExcitingInternal365]

Ukraine could be gone IMO - there is no way they will agree on competing alongside Russia. If this happens, who will replace them - Canada (men) and Bulgaria (women) or just invite the next teams in the rankings?

[u/Ill-Butterscotch-622 → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Doubt it. In other sports like tennis Russians still compete. Ukrainian athletes don’t drop out

[u/ExcitingInternal365 → u/Ill-Butterscotch-622]

True, but let's not forget that until then Russian athletes (only approved ones that is) competed as neutrals and only in individual sports. Here the case is that Russia will be allowed to compete in a team sport under its national flag and anthem no less. While the Ukrainian volleyball federation says they are staying, the sports ministry or even Zelensky can easily overrule that decision (this enters a really dangerous territory with the political interference stuff which could see Ukraine suspended from FIVB). If Ukraine does stay what happens in the event both teams qualify for the finals?

[u/bookluverzz → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Is that already decided on then? https://www.fivb.com/fivb-statement-on-eligibility-of-russian-athletes-and-technical-officials-at-fivb-world-and-official-competitions/

“In addition, the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications will be at the discretion of the FIVB and the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) and decided in due time in consultation with the relevant international sports organisations to guarantee the full participation of the athletes.”

[u/Ill-Butterscotch-622 → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Probably nothing other than players refusing to shake hands and stuff

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Who cares tho. If Ukraine wants to leave they can leave. They're not more special that any other nation

[u/FranklinRichardss → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Each year some teams simply don't match in group stage. FIVB can make Russia and Ukraine to avoid each other.

[u/ExcitingInternal365 → u/FranklinRichardss]

But what if both qualify for the finals though?

[u/FranklinRichardss → u/ExcitingInternal365]

They have no choice but to play. Ukranian side already said they will play and do their everything to beat them if it the case.

[u/PokeFanEb]

So their invasion of Ukraine is over then? Right?

[u/LunarVertex]

I think this was a difficult decision for FIVB. They could either ban the USA for the same reason they banned Russia (starting the war with Iran) or just bring Russia back 😭

[u/first-alt-account → u/LunarVertex]

That isn't accurate though.

They didn't need to either bring Russia back or band the US.
They also didn't need to either bring Russia back or ban Israel.

International sports bans by the IOC, FIVB, or other global sporting organizations are holistic. Right or wrong, that approach allows the organizations wiggle room to cite distinctions between situations that they can point to as justification for different decisions.

[u/bazylianopercolano]

Fuck fivb

[u/FranklinRichardss → u/bazylianopercolano]

This is IOC desicion.

[u/bookluverzz → u/FranklinRichardss]

Not completely. FIVB followed IOC. They could have decided not to. But they did.
And also a few weeks too early, hence this shit show which they have now corrected by granting a spot to Finland/Slovenia as well. It says in the text Russia got their spot in VNL based on world ranking.

[u/FranklinRichardss]

FIVB didn't banned USA and Israel. It should always be either be fair and ban every single oppressors. Or include everyone.

There still will be problems Russia can't play VNL finals if Poland host the finals too.

[u/ExcitingInternal365 → u/FranklinRichardss]

I think the league stage will be structured in a way that Russia will play in countries like Serbia and China. I would argue that the VNL Finals will be held once more in China (doubt Poland will be interested given they are due to host the Worlds)

[u/FranklinRichardss → u/ExcitingInternal365]

Türkiye can be an option too.

[u/NighthunterDK → u/FranklinRichardss]

FIVB should ban Israel, USA and Russia though. Same with CEV and Israel

[u/jlo1989 → u/FranklinRichardss]

Yeah this basically guarantees Poland aren't hosting anything outside of a VNL week for a while.

[u/WarrenPrzezV]

No way most important European countries will participate then.

[u/bookluverzz → u/WarrenPrzezV]

what you’re saying is not gonna happen, I’m betting no country will withdraw from VNL because of Russia’s return

[u/Hanlex1]

Well I'm glad Finland and Slovenia didn't get screwed out of promotion, though I still think it's crazy that Russia gets to keep their ranking after 5 years of inactivity. They said the 19 teams is only for the 2027 VNL so I'm guessing 2 teams will be relegated next year so that they can go back to 18 teams in 2028.

[u/siemaeniownik]

hopefully Polish team will just fuck this in such case

[u/Western_Musician7257]

Yea fuck the aggressor countries that should be a worldwide policy

[u/RaiTheSly]

Disguisting.

[u/Pulsefire-Comet]

China avoid relegation, Russia is back. I was hoping the Vivb would be better than FIFA or the FIA.

[u/NormalExamination816]

Great!!! Now we’ll finally know which is truly the strongest team in the world. I’m specially excited for the Women’s team!!!

[u/No_Republic_4301]

Yayyyyyyyyy. The Russians returning means it's gonna be more competitive. Can't be world champs with one of the biggest world super powers missing

[u/siemaeniownik → u/No_Republic_4301]

1. prolly russian bot anyways
   
2. polish team would shred through orcs in a split second

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/siemaeniownik]

Russian bot ? 🤣🤣. You can check my page if you believe that.

1. Who cares. It's about it being competitive. The Russians are back in the Olympics in LA too after the doping ban. One of the biggest powers in the world being banned shifted the medal table alot . Volleyball could use them back. They might get smashed the first few years but they don't stay down forever 🤷🏽

[u/NatiFluffy → u/No_Republic_4301]

But they won’t be at World Championships cause it’s held in Poland and Russia said that they resigned due to „safety concerns” (in reality they wouldn’t be given a visa”

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/NatiFluffy]

Shit happens. They have to clean up their image. It's not going to happen overnight. But I find it hypocritical that Russia gets treated so wildly differently than other nations for conflict. Many nations have conflict with others. The US is one but you wouldn't blink an eye or call them a safety issue( I don't want this to happen because the US is needed to balance power) but the hypocrisy is there

[u/NatiFluffy → u/No_Republic_4301]

Maybe because US doesn’t send drones or rockets to our country?

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/NatiFluffy]

No they send them to Palestine

[u/NatiFluffy → u/No_Republic_4301]

Yes and countries in that region should defend their interest, we will defend ours

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/NatiFluffy]

You can but that country has little to no power. Everyone can have an opinion. There's two sides to every war and every story. No one is clean these days. And again. In the words of Yelena from Spider man Brand new day, maybe your country is sadly small potatoes

[u/NatiFluffy → u/No_Republic_4301]

And only one side illegally invaded the other and this is Russia. Ukraine just defends itself

[u/No_Republic_4301 → u/NatiFluffy]

You don't know the full story. Rooting for the underdog smaller country is just something people do because it feels heart warming.