“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all affected people in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and quickly so that football can once again be a vector of unity and peace between people.“, indicates the brief statement.
Russia had to play the first playoff match against Poland on March 24 on the way to Qatar 2022 and face the winner of Sweden or the Czech Republic, if they continue in that instance.
The federations of the three countries announced their refusal to face the country that organized the 2018 World Cup.
The decision of FIFA and UEFA also covers the Russian women’s team, which will not be able to play the European Championship in England next July, and Spartak Moscow, the last Russian club in European competitions this season, is excluded from the Europa League, in the previous round of 16 against Leipzig of Germany.
