Crimean football clubs were Thursday banned by UEFA from taking part in Russian championships starting from January 1, the governing body's secretary general Gianni Infantino announced.

"The Russian football federation cannot organise matches in Crimea without the agreement of UEFA and Ukraine," said Infantino.

The strategic peninsula of Crimea, long home to Russian military bases, was annexed from Ukraine by Russia in March, sparking the worst crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War.

The separatist uprising has cost the lives of over 4,300 people since April.