Poland threatens not to play World Cup playoff against Russia

The chain reactions after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine do not stop happening in the world of sport… And have consequences. One of the last fully affects the World Cup playoff games in Qatar. In Europe, the three places that will arrive from the playoffs remain to be decided. The six single-leg semi-final matches are scheduled for March 24 and then the winners will meet in the final three, already paired, single-leg finals.

Poland, Russia’s rival, threatens not to play the play-off match that should take place at the Dynamo Central Stadium in Moscow. The president of the Polish Football Federation, Cezary Kulesza, it is resounding and calls for action. This is how he expressed himself on his Twitter: “No more words, it’s time to act! Due to the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression towards Ukraine, the Polish team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia. This is the only correct decision. We are in talks with the federations of Sweden and the Czech Republic to present a common position to FIFA”.

Lewandowski, the star of Poland, was quick to back his federation’s decision. He has done it, as its president, on his Twitter account: “It is the right decision! I cannot imagine playing a match with the Russian team in a situation where armed aggression continues in Ukraine. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing is happening.”

Because in the event of Russia winning the semifinal of the play-off against Poland, they would face the winner of Sweden-Czech Republic in the final, in the decisive match to get one of the three places in Europe that remain to be decided for the next World Cup in Qatar. This is how the three federations pronounced themselves: “The football federations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic categorically condemn Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. In view of the current situation, the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) and the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) express a firm position for what is scheduled for the 24th and 29th of March of this year. Play-off matches for the World Cup in Qatar should not be held in the Russian Federation.”

The Swedish Federation went further and issued a statement aligning itself with Poland and announcing its decision not to play a possible play-off match against Russia, regardless of where it may be played.: “The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates,” says the text. “The illegal and deeply unfair invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible. Therefore, we urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March involving Russia are cancelled. But whatever it decides do FIFA, we will not play against Russia in March,” said the president of the Swedish Football Association, Karl-Erik Nilsson, words that begin the statement of the Swedish federation. And he adds: “We find it hard to believe that FIFA will not follow our call. Russia cannot join while this madness continues.”.

Swedish Sports Minister Anders Ygeman also spoke about the situation after the Russian invasion: “As long as the Russian aggression continues, I want the EU to make a decision that we will not participate in Russian events and we will exclude Russian professionals from participate in events in other countries,” Ygeman said.

Russia reacts to Polish refusal

The Russian Football Federation responded to Poland’s refusal to play the World Cup qualifying play-off match. Mikhail Gershkovich, representative of the executive of said organization, expressed a certain irrelevance for the determination made by the Poles.

“They can say what they want. Refuse, don’t refuse… I hope that FIFA takes the side of common sense and preserves the sporting principle. We will see how events unfold. Nothing can be predicted at this time,” said the Russian president in statements collected by Sport.ru.