Because of aggression against Ukraine
Poland cancels World Cup playoff against Russia
02/26/2022, 10:28 am
The Polish Football Association PZPN will not take part in the World Cup playoff against Russia “due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine”. This was announced by association president Cezary Kulesza via Twitter. The game was scheduled for March 24 in Moscow. FIFA has not yet taken a position.
The Polish Football Association PZPN does not want to take part in the World Cup play-off against Russia in view of the further advance of Russian troops in Ukraine. This was announced by association president Cezary Kulesza via Twitter. The Poles are going a step further than already announced: On Thursday they initially refused to play on Russian soil.
The game en route to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is scheduled for March 24 in Moscow. “The time for words is over, now is the time for action. In connection with the escalating aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Polish national team has no plans to play a play-off game in Russia,” Kulesza wrote is the only right decision.”
Robert Lewandowski, the captain of the Polish team, also commented a short time later Twitter. “It’s the right decision,” wrote the FC Bayern Munich striker: “I can’t imagine playing a game against the Russian national team while armed aggression continues in Ukraine. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this. But we can’t pretend nothing is happening.”
PZPN is now working with colleagues from Sweden and the Czech Republic on a common position, since these associations are also affected: The winner of the duel between Russia and Poland should then meet the Czech Republic or Sweden, who face each other in the round before. The Russians would also have home rights in another game. Like Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic had already made it clear that they didn’t want to play in Russia. On Thursday, the three associations called on FIFA and the European Football Union UEFA to “react immediately” and propose alternatives for the games on Russian soil.
The world association FIFA, however, has not yet taken a position. They condemn “the use of force by Russia”, but with a view to qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wants to “continue to monitor the situation”. FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented on the conflict on Thursday and remained very vague. He said: “I hope this situation will be resolved by then.”
