Former Norwich star Mathias Normann axed from Norway squad indefinitely for playing in Russia

NORWAY have AXED Mathias Normann from their squad indefinitely because he is playing for a Russian football team.

Normann was on loan at Norwich City last season from Russian club FC Rostov, and following the conclusion of his loan he will return to Russia at club level, but thus far it is unclear who this will be for.

And as a consequence of this, Norway have told Normann he will not be selected for their upcoming internationals against Slovenia and Serbia.

Stale Solbakken, Norway’s head coach and Lise Klaveness, Norway's Football Federation president, both agree the player cannot play due to the country's unified stance on the invasion of Ukraine.

Klaveness said: "Basically, it is not the association’s role to say anything about national team players’ choice of club, but we are now in an extraordinary situation.”

“All of Norwegian and European football agree to put joint pressure on Russia as a belligerent party, which has also used positions of power in sport very actively.

“All Russian teams are banned from international sports competitions. Stale and I agree that Normann cannot represent Norway when he will now play for a new Russian club."

UEFA and FIFA came down hard with sanctions on Russian football, banning the national team and clubs from competing in competitions under UEFA or FIFA's banner.

The ban caused a mass exodus of players from the country.

Normann played 23 times for Norwich in the Premier League last season but was unable to help The Canaries steer clear of relegation back to the Championship.

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He was also previously contracted to Brighton but failed to make a senior appearance before The Seagulls sold him in 2019.

Normann has 12 senior caps for Norway.

But until he moves away from Russia club football he is unlikely to add any more caps to his name.