POLAND have announced they do not intend to play their World Cup play-off match next month against Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA took one match away from Russia following the invasion but stopped short of kicking them out of qualifying for the World Cup.
That means Russia are still included alongside Sweden, Czech Republic and Poland in Path B of the European play-offs, with the latter scheduled to take on the former on 24 March in Moscow.
Should Russia beat Poland, they would meet the winner of Sweden v Czech Republic in a one-off final five days later to reach the Qatar showpiece, but Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza has tweeted his side no longer plan on taking part in the first place.
“No more words, time to act!” Kulesza said. “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 Republic federations to present a common position to FIFA.”
Responding to Kulesza’s statement, the Polish striker at Germany’s most famous club in Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski – who also captains his country – said: “It is the right decision!
“I can’t 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 can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”
The news comes just a day after the three federations of Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic released a joint statement demanding clarity on the situation in Ukraine, with ‘alternative solutions’ offered immediately.
“Based on the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including the security situation the Football Associations of Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic express their firm position that the playoff matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2002, should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation,” a statement read.
“The signatories to this appeal do not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there.”
Daily Mail
