in Soccer

Poland and Sweden refuse to play Russia throwing World Cup play-offs into chaos due to Ukraine invasion

159 Views


POLAND and Sweden have announced they will refuse to play their World Cup play-off match against Russia after the country invaded Ukraine.

Russia are scheduled to host Poland next month, with the winner facing the winner of Sweden vs Czech Republic for a place at the World Cup.

Poland, captained by Lewandowski (R) have announced they do not intend to play their World Cup play-off against RussiaCredit: EPA

But President of the Polish FA Cezary Kulesza has confirmed Poland will not play against Russia after their invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

He wrote on Twitter: “No more words, it’s time to act.

“Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia.

“This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Swedish and Czech federations to bring forward a common position to FIFA.”

Sweden have followed suit, saying: “The Swedish Football Association’s board has decided that the Swedish men’s national team will not play a possible playoff match against Russia – regardless of where the match is played. The Federal Board also urges Fifa to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates.”

Fifa is aware of the gathering storm and that a decision is needed urgently.

.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}

.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}

.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}

.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}

.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}

Most read in Football

.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}

.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}

.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}

If Russia were kicked out either Slovakia – who came third in Russia’s qualifying group – or Hungary – who are the next team in the Nations League rankings – would be favourites to take their place.

Poland released a joint statement with Sweden and the Czech Republic on Friday confirming they would not travel to Russia to play.

The announcement from the nations today means they will not play the game at all.

Bayern Munich star and Poland captain Robert Lewandowski revealed his support of the latest announcement, labelling it ‘the right decision’.

He replied to the tweet saying: “The right decision!

“I cannot imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues.

“Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing is happening.”

Aston Villa star Matty Cash, who recently became a Polish citizen, also supported the decision.

He said: “It is not an easy decision, but there are more important things in life than football.”

Poland had been scheduled to take on Russia on March 26 in Moscow.

Elsewhere Russia have been stripped of hosting the Champions League final in St Petersburg invading of Ukraine.

Paris’ Stade de France will host the showpiece final on May 28 instead.

The F1 Grand Prix scheduled for the Russian city of Sochi in September has also been axed.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

Tagcloud: FootballSportWorld Cup News

Tottenham’s 2007/08 League Cup winning XI and where they are now as Spurs chase first trophy under Antonio Conte

George Russell admits Mercedes ‘not happy’ with new car and fears McLaren and Ferrari speed despite Hamilton fastest lap