Russia-Ukraine Crisis: How this Will Affect Football and Sport?

The impending conflict between Russia and the Ukraine has definitely been the focus of attention over the last couple of days particularly the stand-off in Crimea which has led both to the brink of war.

It is a sad turn of events from a sporting point of view considering that the Winter Olympics in Sochi just ended only a few weeks ago with glowing praise for the hosts - just what Putin ordered.

It also hangs a huge shadow over the impending Winter Paralympics which kicks off in a matter of days further around the Black Sea coast in Sochi and also brings back memories of the time Russia invaded Georgia over South Ossetia during the 2008 Olympics.

Russia hosting an Olympics and political crisis - what's new?

It is probably too late for nations to consider a boycott ala 1980 in Moscow - and lessons learnt from that boycott mean that there won't be a repeat with that boycott actually strengthening the Soviet Union's position briefly.

The effects of the conflict will filter through all aspects of society in both countries, including sport. Whether it leads to a Third World War given the USA's stance to support Ukraine against Russia remains to be seen - the Russian and Ukrainian people are certainly against it.

Football is set to be hugely affected by whatever happens over the next couple of days and weeks between the Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine's footballers set to lose out, big time

Indeed, the USA has already cancelled its international friendly match with the Ukraine which had been moved to Cyprus from Kharkiv in light of the political crisis in the country. The reasons were that it was just not the right time for a football match.

Russia's friendly with neighbour and former Soviet republic, Armenia will still continue despite the threat of war looming.

But the club season is set to be affected. The Russian and Ukrainian clubs are pretty much on the way out of the Champions League and Europa Leagues - there are no Ukrainian clubs left in Europe and Zenit St Petersburg and Anzhi are quite far away from the heart of the conflict so should not be affected too badly although Zenit's chances of progressing are slim having to come from 4-2 behind away at Borussia Dortmund.

However, the Ukrainian club season will most definitely be affected especially with FC Sevastopol being in the heart of the conflict in Crimea. The Ukrainian FA has delayed the start of the spring stage of the Premier League in light of the conflict.

Let's not forget that Ukraine only just held a successful EUROs 2 years ago.

Kiev during happier times 2 years ago

In the long-term future, there is the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is to be hosted by Russia. Hopefully the conflict won't escalate to a point where Russia and Ukraine are still at war in 4 years time, but certainly, this recent conflict will be making FIFA executives a bit anxious particularly given Russia's record of being a big bully to its former Soviet republics.

At this stage, sport in Russia - a vast land when you consider it - should continue as usual. After all, the country has seen it all through the Chechen conflict and various terrorist attacks, yet has remained strong as ever.

Putin has made many big, calculated moves which have been controversial yet somehow have left his and Russia's reputation intact, indeed often enhanced.

However, this might be one move that Putin might regret especially in the wake of a successful Sochi Winter Olympics and the Paralympics not far away.

2014 hasn't quite worked out the way Putin would have liked to showcase Russia as  a peace, fun loving nation