The international sporting boycott of Russia after the Ukraine invasion: a case study on impact, legal frameworks, and media framing

Abstract

This paper investigates the international sports boycott imposed on Russia following the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war, focusing on its legal legitimacy, political implications, and media framing. It aims to assess the boycott's impact on Russia's soft power, its alignment with international sports law and public international law, and the extent to which it redefined the principle of neutrality in global sport. The research also examines how the media shaped global and domestic perceptions of the sanctions and their ethical justifications. A qualitative, multi-method approach was employed. The paper combines a doctrinal legal analysis of relevant frameworks, including the Olympic Charter, FIFA, and UEFA regulations, and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decisions, with a comparative historical review of prior sports sanctions such as those against apartheid South Africa and the 1992 embargo on Yugoslavia. Additionally, a media discourse analysis of Western and Russian state outlets was conducted to evaluate framing narratives and influence on public opinion. Findings reveal that the Russia boycott signified a turning point in sports governance, effectively ending the notion of political neutrality. The sanctions reduced Russia's international representation while exposing inconsistencies within existing legal standards. Media framing played a pivotal role in legitimizing or contesting the sanctions, reinforcing political divides. Sports boycotts can advance political and moral objectives but raise complex legal and ethical issues. The study recommends establishing consistent global guidelines for conflict-related sanctions and promoting responsible media practices that uphold justice, peace, and human rights through sport.