Iceland, Nigeria's group mate in the 2018 Russia World Cup on Monday said it will enforce a diplomatic boycott of the forthcoming World Cup billed to be hosted By Russia over the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain. Iceland's Foreign Ministry in a statement issued yesterday said;
“Among the measures taken by Iceland is the temporary postponement of all high-level bilateral dialogue with the Russian authorities. Consequently, Icelandic leaders will not attend the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer. The Salisbury attack constitutes a grave violation of international law and threatens security and peace in Europe,” the statement added.
The Reykjavik government also exhorted Moscow to provide “clear answers” over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in southwestern England on March 4.
It is believed that the action was in solidarity with England which had announced in mid-March that British royals and ministers would stay away from the FIFA tournament set for June 14-July 15.
This is coming at a time when 16 European countries have expelled most Russian diplomats from their countries.