MX23RW : Sunday, June 30 13:04:19| >> :600:1783604:1783604:

British media to be banned from World Cup?

British media to be banned from World Cup?
© Offside
Russia threatens to ban British media organisations from covering the World Cup if its news channel is forced off the air in the UK.

British journalists could reportedly be banned from entering Russia to cover the World Cup this summer as a result of the escalating diplomatic row between the UK and the Kremlin.

Prime minister Theresa May has expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the UK and threatened further sanctions after accusing the Russian state of attempting to murder a former Russian spy and his daughter with a chemical weapon on British soil earlier this month.

As a result of the incident, the UK has also announced that no ministers or members of family will be attending the World Cup - due to begin in June - and telecoms regulator Ofcom has threatened to withdraw the broadcasting licence for Russia Today (RT), an English-language, Russian-centric news channel funded by the Russian government.

Speaking late on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the country would ban "every single British news outlet" from the World Cup if RT were to be closed down.

England's participation in the tournament is not thought to be in doubt at the present time but the FA would be forced to reconsider its position if British media outlets were prevented from covering their home team.

ID:321049: cacheID:321049:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1732:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Interim England manager Gareth Southgate on the touchline during the international friendly with Spain at Wembley on November 15, 2016
Read Next:
British ministers to boycott World Cup
>
Read more about Theresa May Off The Pitch
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Sunday, June 30
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
5pm
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!