'No more words, time to act!' - Polish FA president and Swedish FA refuse to play Russia World Cup playoff
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Updated 26/02/2022 at 15:06 GMT
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, sanctions ranging from the financial to the sporting continue to grow. A new development came as both the Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski indicated they would not be prepred to face Russia in their March qualifying playoff for the World Cup. The Swedish FA later made the same announcement.
Robert Lewandowski of Poland looks on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Poland and Slovakia at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 14, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Image credit: Getty Images
The Swedish and Polish football associations, as well as Robert Lewandowski, said they will refuse to play Russia in their World Cup qualifying play-off matches.
Russia further invaded Ukraine this week beyond their original 2014 attack, which has brought sanctions from governments around the world, commercial decisions from sponsors to cut ties with Russia, and condemnation from sporting figures, amongst other prominent names.
The UEFA Champions League final scheduled to be held in St Petersburg this May has been moved to Paris, and Russian teams have been excluded from European competition. Formula 1 no longer plans to hold the Russian Grand Prix this year, with Turkey the likely replacement.
Kulesza tweeted: "No more words, 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 of the Republic of Poland vs. Russia.
"This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Sweden and Czech federations to present a common position to FIFA."
Bayern Munich and Polish international striker Lewandowski endorsed the announcement, also on Twitter.
“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,” he said.
On Saturday afternoon, the Swedish FA made a similar announcement.
"SvFF´'s message: The men's national team will not play against Russia - regardless of where the match is played," their tweet read.
"The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates."
Poland had been due to play in Moscow on March 24.
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