Australia backtracks on threat against Russia

Australia has backtracked on a threat to boycott the 2018 Russia World Cup in response to an alleged attack on a former Russian double agent in the United Kingdom.

On Wednesday, Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters in Canberra that her country had no plans to boycott the international games.

A day earlier, the Australian government announced a decision to expel two Russian diplomats in a spate of expulsions of Russian diplomatic personnel in Western countries over allegations that Moscow was behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK on March 4.

Bishop had said in response to direct questions then that boycotting the 2018 Russia World Cup was among “a range” of other options available to the Australia government.

Later, however, the country’s top diplomat backtracked.

“The Australian government is not considering a boycott of the World Cup,” she told reporters on Wednesday.

“When I was asked about it yesterday, I was referring to the fact that Britain, for example, pursued an option of announcing that the Royal Family would not be attending the World Cup, but Australia is not considering a boycott,” she said.

The Australian foreign minister said the “appropriate action” against Moscow had been the expulsion of the two Russian diplomats.

“This sends a very powerful message that Russia’s actions and the responsibility that Russia must take this use of a chemical nerve agent in London will not be tolerated,” she said.

Football Federation Australia had said on Tuesday, “As things stand, all qualifying teams, including the England team, will be taking part in this FIFA event and that continues to be our intention.”

More than 20 Western countries, including the United States, have ordered the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats as part of seemingly coordinated attempts over the alleged poisoning of Skripal, 67, and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, who remain hospitalized.

The UK has blamed Russia. Moscow has denied any involvement.

ME