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Ukraine request Scotland World Cup play-off match is POSTPONED until June due to Russian invasion

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UKRAINE have asked Fifa to postpone the upcoming World Cup play-off against Scotland until June.

Steve Clarke’s men are set to host the Ukrainians this month for a chance to face either Wales or Austria.

Ukraine has asked Fifa to put its World Cup play-off against Scotland be postponed until June

The winner of that tie will then claim a coveted World Cup spot in Qatar later this year.

The game has been in some doubt due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week.

Now the clash has been thrown into turmoil, as Reuters claim the Ukrainians have asked Uefa and Fifa to postpone the March 24 showdown.

It is an understandable plea from a country who has suffered the most unthinkable attacks in the past week and Fifa is likely to grant the request – which will also mean Wales’ match with Austria being postponed.

World chiefs also appear to be about to change their mind about awarding Poland a walkover to a play-off final against Sweden or Czech Republic after booting Russia out of the competition.

Slovakia, Norway or Hungary will all be potential beneficiaries with the Slovaks., who were third in their group behind Croatia and Russia, the most likely choice

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Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov revealed talks were underway with his domestic stars about the possibility of traveling to face Scotland.

The 64-year-old said: “I have spoken to several members of the national team who are still in the country. I would prefer not to say where they are at the moment.

“I have also spoken to Andriy Yarmolenko at West Ham and Oleksandr Zinchenko at Manchester City. All these guys are as shocked as I am.

“I was in Turkey with the domestic clubs at their pre-season training camps and they told me there that Russia would invade us, but I didn’t believe it.”

Scotland voiced their support for Ukraine when announcing they will refuse to play against Russia at ANY level.

An SFA-sanctioned amateur national team were initially due to face off a Russian side at this summer’s Uefa Regions Cup.

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A statement read: “The Scottish FA President, Rod Petrie, has written to his counterpart at the Ukrainian Association of Football to send a message of support, friendship and unity.

“Football is inconsequential amid conflict, but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days.

“We remain in dialogue with UEFA and FIFA regarding our men’s FIFA World Cup Play-off and women’s World Cup qualifier and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues’ preparations as best we can in these unimaginably difficult circumstances.

“Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia, due to be played in August. 

“This will remain our position should any other fixtures arise at any level of international football.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky declared a state of emergency lasting 30 days last week.

That gives authorities the right to ban mass gatherings and sporting events.

SunSport’s Bill Leckie suggested Scotland should stand aside and forfeit the tie to let Ukraine progress.

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After days of dither and delay, FIFA eventually booted Russia out of the World Cup for their aggression towards their neighbours.

Uefa also banned Spartak Moscow from the last 16 of the Europa League and announced the immediate end of Gazprom’s £35m per year Champions League sponsorship deal.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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