Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the sport’s governing body announced on Sunday, because of his invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday followed a declaration of war by Putin.

A judo blackbelt, the 69-year-old is a keen practitioner of the discipline and has co-authored a book titled “Judo: History, Theory, Practice”.

“In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” the IJF said in a statement.

The IJF on Friday said it had cancelled a May 20-22 event in Russia.

“The International Judo Federation announces with regret the cancellation of the 2022 Grand Slam in Kazan, Russia,” IJF President Marius Vizer said.

The Czech Republic will not play a potential soccer World Cup qualifier against Russia following their invasion of Ukraine, the Czech FA said on Sunday.

The Czech ruling body is the latest to pull out of the playoff matches after Poland and Sweden announced on Saturday they would not contest the qualifiers in March to decide who will go to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“The FA executive committee approved unanimously the decision that the Czech national team will under no circumstances play the possible game against Russia’s team in the 2022 World Cup qualification,” the Czech FA said.

“The executive committee tasked FA chairman Petr Fousek and secretary general Michal Valter to talk to UEFA and FIFA in regards to the decision of the executive committee not to play the possible game against Russia.

Russia are scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of their strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if they advance, to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.

The Czech FA said it would not play the match even if it was moved to a neutral venue, and called for the invasion to end as soon as possible.

Rafael Nadal maintained his unbeaten start to 2022 by beating British number one Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-4 to win the Mexican Open.

At the end of last year, Nadal, 35, thought he might have to retire because of a foot injury, but has won all three tournaments he has played this year.

The Spaniard won a 21st major title at the Australian Open after victory in a Melbourne warm-up event.

“At the start of the year this was unimaginable,” said the Spaniard.

“A month and a half ago nobody would have believed it.”

Victory over Norrie extended Nadal’s career-best winning start to the season to a 15th victory.

The fourth seed, who beat incoming world number one Daniil Medvedev in the last four, lifted the title in Acapulco without dropping a set.

It is the 91st title of Nadal’s career and a fourth in the Mexican city, having won his first as an 18-year-old in 2005.

Nadal, who also triumphed in 2013 and 2020, is now the tournament’s youngest and oldest champion.

A finely balanced opener swung the way of Nadal when he converted the only break point of the set in the fifth game and served out without serious pressure from Norrie.

Norrie, who is ranked 12th in the world, had won his previous eight matches and claimed the title in Delray Beach last week.

The 26-year-old Briton found a way through Nadal’s serve to break back for 1-1 in the second set, only for his fellow left-hander to take control with four straight games.

A stunning pick-up volley from Nadal set up two championship points and he took the first when Norrie went long with a forehand.

“Rafa doesn’t give you any free points and if you give him one or two he takes advantage of them,” said Norrie.

“It is impressive to see how he still does it.”

Liverpool won a dramatic penalty shoot-out to secure the first domestic trophy of the season after a classic Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, brought on in the closing moments of extra time as a penalty specialist, missed the decisive spot-kick after a magnificent game came down to a shoot-out between Chelsea’s keeper and his Liverpool counterpart Caoimhin Kelleher.

Kelleher made it 11 penalties from 11 for Liverpool but Kepa blazed wildly over the top as a high-class showpiece was decided by the finest of margins after 21 successful attempts.

Chelsea, who had three goals disallowed for offside, were left to rue two big misses by Mason Mount but they were also grateful for a magnificent display from keeper Edouard Mendy, who produced a string of outstanding saves.

Liverpool created a host of chances and had a Joel Matip goal ruled out for a foul and offside in an incident-packed game that went right down to the wire before Jurgen Klopp’s side prevailed, for a record ninth League Cup success.

Kelleher rewards Klopp’s faith

‘s cup final shootout win was ‘spectacular’ – Klopp

Manager Jurgen Klopp made it clear as soon as Liverpool reached Wembley that Kelleher would retain his place as the Reds’ goalkeeper in this competition ahead of first-choice Alisson.

It was a decision laced with an element of risk but the 23-year-old repaid Klopp with a complete performance that included scoring Liverpool’s 11th and final penalty.

This was a small element of a remarkably assured performance that started with a crucial early save from Christian Pulisic and also saw him deny Chelsea a last-gasp win with a near-post block from Romelu Lukaku in the closing seconds of extra time.

Kelleher was composed in every aspect of his game as he dominated his area and handled everything that came his way, confirming his growing reputation as a goalkeeper of high promise.

Liverpool had to go all the way to win this trophy for the first time since 2012.

Klopp was forced into a late reshuffle after a tearful Thiago Alcantara was injured in the warm-up, drafting in Naby Keita as a late replacement.

Liverpool traded near misses with Chelsea as both teams refused to take a backward step and it was right that only penalties could separate the sides after an outstanding Wembley occasion.

Chelsea rue Mount misses

Mount will have a sleepless night after this EFL Cup final after missing two glorious chances either side of half-time that could have proved pivotal.

He somehow steered wide with the goal at his mercy just before the interval then, with time and space to spare, struck a finish against the post with Kelleher badly exposed.

On such small details this game was decided, although Chelsea will also look back on the most marginal of offside decisions that saw substitute Lukaku have a goal disallowed.

Manager Thomas Tuchel took an understandable gamble when he sent on Kepa in the final moments in the hope he would live up to his reputation as a penalty expert but he could not stop 11 spot-kicks from Liverpool before sending his own effort horribly high into the celebrating supporters behind Kelleher’s goal.

Tuchel may wonder whether he should have kept the unbeatable Mendy on for penalties after his heroic performance but it is easy to be wise after the event and Kepa has proved his quality from penalties in the past.

There can be no complaints about the quality and effort in Chelsea’s performance other than the failure to take the chances that came their way.

They demonstrated they belong in the Premier League’s elite company alongside Liverpool and Manchester City and no-one would dismiss their chances of making amends for this disappointment by winning a different piece of silverware this season.

Briton Lawrence Okolie defended his WBO cruiserweight belt with a comfortable yet scrappy points victory over Michal Cieslak at London’s O2 Arena.

The 29-year-old floored the Polish challenger in the fifth round but was not at his fluent best in a bout where both men continued to grapple and hold.

The judges’ scorecards read 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 – all to Okolie.

“It was a flat performance and I allowed it to get messy,” Okolie told 5 Live Boxing.

“This was one of those days where it was tough, awkward, and the guy was physically strong, but I need to work on the mentality that it doesn’t need to be perfect.

“I will go back to the gym, go again and make it right the next time.”

The Londoner now moves closer to a unification bout, with IBF champion Mairis Briedis a possible opponent.

Raucous crowd but scrappy bout

Prime time boxing on a Sunday evening is a rarity and in the build-up to the main event there was a somewhat more placid, yet intimate, atmosphere compared to regular world-title fight nights.

But the 6,000 fans in attendance certainly made themselves heard when Okolie entered the ring alongside former heavyweight champion and mentor Anthony Joshua and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

There was also huge Polish support for Cieslak – the arena at times resembling a football ground with chants exchanged between the home and away fans.

Okolie edged the first round with a huge right which landed cleanly in an otherwise scrappy start.

The fighters engaged in more clinches and smothered each other’s advances in rounds two to four but Okolie – with effective jabs to the body – was doing enough to control the fight and win the rounds.

By the fifth round, Okolie had found his range and looked light on his toes. A chopping right glanced the top of Cieslak’s head and then moments later Okolie countered with another right and the challenger was down on one knee.

Cieslak shook off the knockdown and recovered well in the sixth round. He connected with an uppercut in the seventh and a straight left while Okolie was backing away in the eighth – but the champion was the busier fighter.

Okolie twice landed cleanly in the 10th round but as the fight headed to its conclusion, both men started to get more reckless and the holding seemed to worsen.

Despite the ungainly and often ugly nature of the fight, as the final bell rung there was no question as to who the winner was.

What’s next for Okolie?

It may not have been his greatest performance to date but Okolie is an undefeated world champion with 18 straight wins as a professional.

The 200lb (14.4 stone) division – compared to other weight classes – has historically struggled for depth. With just a handful of elite-level champions and contenders, he may now be provided an opportunity to unify the division and earn his status as the cruiserweight king.

Congolese fighter Ilunga Makabu – who lost to Briton Tony Bellew in 2016 and beat Cieslak in 2020 – holds the WBC belt and could well be the next man Okolie faces.

There is also undefeated Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian – the WBA ‘Super’ champion – but he has not competed in over two years.

Domestically, Chris Billam-Smith is ranked in the top 10 with all governing bodies and undefeated Richard Riakporhe – who has beaten Billiam-Smith – is also in world-title contention.

The most entertaining and profitable fight for Okolie, however, would be a unification battle against the outspoken and often unpredictable Briedis.

“That’s the fight we want to see,” promoter Eddie Hearn said.

The 37-year-old Briedis caused a stir last year when he got a tattoo calling out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul – an act which alienated boxing enthusiasts and one which Okolie described as “ridiculous”.

Okolie has spoken of the demands of making weight and if the unification fights do not materialise, he could move up a weight class and attempt to emulate fellow Briton David Haye, American great Evander Holyfield and Ukraine’s current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in winning world titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.

Hearn added: “Okolie will move to heavyweight – you will see him at 16 stone plus – but with his ability he can win all the belts in this division and I’d like to see him do that before he makes the move to heavyweight.”

On Saturday, Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich announced he was handing them the “stewardship and care” of the club.

The billionaire, who would remain the club’s owner, made the move amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Members of the charitable foundation met on Sunday to discuss the situation.

But some have concerns over whether Charity Commission rules would allow them to run the club, and the foundation’s lawyers are now exploring what can be done.

There are also understood to be some members of the foundation concerned about their legal liability if they agree to take on responsibility for running the club.

The announcement from Abramovich was made on the eve of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.

“I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart,” Abramovich said on Saturday.

“I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans.”

Following Abramovich’s statement, which did not reference the invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea released another statement on Sunday which said the situation was “horrific and devastating”.

“Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace,” said the west London club.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said it was “seeking urgent clarification” on what Abramovich’s statement on Saturday means for the running of the club.

It is not known yet if Abramovich will be sanctioned as part of the UK Government’s measures against Russia.

BBC Sport understands Chelsea are not for sale, and the £1.5bn loan their owner gave to the club is not being called in.

Abramovich is one of Russia’s richest people and is believed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Chelsea Foundation runs the club’s community and education departments as well as other charitable activities. Its chairman is US lawyer Bruce Buck, who is also chairman of the club as a whole.

The foundation’s other trustees are Chelsea women’s team manager Emma Hayes, the club’s director of finance Paul Ramos, British Olympic Association chair Sir Hugh Robertson, Fare (Football Against Racism in Europe) chief Piara Powar and lawyer John Devine.

During Abramovich’s time at Chelsea, the club have won the Champions League twice, both the Premier League and FA Cup five times, the Europa League twice and the League Cup three times.

Earlier in the week, Labour’s Chris Bryant told MPs he had a leaked Home Office document that suggested Abramovich should not be able to base himself in the UK. He said the government should remove his ownership of Chelsea FC and seize his assets.

On Sunday, Bryant tweeted: “Unless and until he condemns the criminal invasion of Ukraine I will continue to call for the UK to sanction him and seize/freeze assets.”

Downing Street would not be drawn on the claims about Abramovich made in the House of Commons.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said it was “ready to work with the trustees of the Chelsea Foundation in order to ensure the long-term interests of the club and supporters”.

It added: “We stand with the people of Ukraine.”

FIFA has told Russia to complete their upcoming games in neutral territory under the name the Football Union of Russia without their flag and anthem following the invasion of Ukraine.

Several nations have announced they will refuse to play Russia, including England and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden.

World Cup 2022 play-offs would see Russia face Poland before facing either the Czech Republic or Sweden if they win – and are scheduled to be played in March.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday.

Polish football association president Cezary Kulesza said Fifa’s decision was “totally unacceptable”, while the Swedish FA and the Czech Republic FA reiterated their stances that they would not play Russia.

“We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will not play with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is,” he said.

Swedish FA president Karl-Erik Nilsson told Fotbollskanalen they were “not satisfied” with Fifa’s decision.

He said: “Our opinion is not different today and the situation has not changed in Ukraine just because we have received the message from Fifa, so we have no other opinion today.

“We also want to talk to Poland and the Czech Republic so that we can give back to Fifa what we think, but we had expected a sharper stance from Fifa. We would have done so.”

The women’s European Championship takes place in England in July and Sweden, along with the Netherlands and Switzerland, are in the same group as Russia.

Fifa said talks will take place with other sporting organisations over whether Russia should be expelled from competitions.

“Fifa would like to reiterate its condemnation of the use of force by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine,” world football’s governing body said in a statement on Sunday.

“Violence is never a solution and Fifa expresses its deepest solidarity to all people affected by what is happening in Ukraine.

“Fifa will continue its ongoing dialogue with the International Olympic Committee, Uefa and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.

“Fifa’s thoughts remain with everybody affected by this shocking and worrying situation.”

Earlier on Sunday, the Football Association announced England will not play any international matches against Russia at any level following the invasion of Ukraine.

The FA said it “wholeheartedly condemns the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership”.

English football’s governing body said the boycott of matches will be “for the foreseeable future”.

The Football Association of Wales condemned Russia’s invasion and said it “stands in solidarity with Ukraine and feels an extreme amount of sadness and shock to the recent developments in the country”.

It added that Wales will not “play any international fixtures against Russia for the foreseeable future, at any level of the game”.

Sport continues to react

The International Judo Federation has suspended Russian president Vladimir Putin as its honorary president.

Boxing’s world governing bodies the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO say they will not sanction any title fights in Russia.

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina will donate prize money to aid efforts.

The world number 15 says.

the money will be used to “support the army and humanitarian needs and help them to defend you, our country”.

At the Fencing World Cup in Cairo, Ukraine’s men’s foil team refused to fence against Russia on Sunday.

“This is our protest against the war. We cannot fence against them while our families are in danger, and everybody is in danger,” said the team.

Meanwhile, Premier League football club Chelsea said the situation in Ukraine was “horrific and devastating”.

The statement came after Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the Russia billionaire who is believed to be close to Putin, was criticised for not mentioning the war when he announced he was handing over “stewardship and care” of the club.

Putin is a blackbelt in judo and was aware of the eigth dan.

, one of the sport’s highest honours, by the International Judo Federation (IJF) in 2012. He has also co-authored a book titled Judo: History, Theory, Practice.

“In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” the IJF said.

Announcing their move, the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO said: “Just as this war has put a stop to boxing in Ukraine, our organisations will not sanction fights in Russia until further assessment of the situation.”