After The Invasion Of Ukraine, Poland Has Refused To Play Russia In A World Cup Qualification Playoff Match
Because to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Polish national team will not play Russia in a critical 2022 World Cup qualification playoff match in March.
Cezary Kulesza, the head of Poland's football organization, revealed the news on Saturday.
"No more talks; now is the time to act! The Polish national team will not play Russia in the play-off match due to the Russian Federation's escalation of aggression towards Ukraine "He sent out a tweet.
We're working with the (Swedish) and (Czech) federations on a joint statement for FIFA."
On Thursday, March 24, Poland was slated to fly to Moscow to face Russia, while Ukraine was planned to go to Scotland on the same day.
The victor of the Poland-Russia game will host either Sweden or the Czech Republic in the World Cup qualification final on March 29.
Robert Lewandowski, a famous striker for Bayern Munich and Poland, mirrored Kulesza's sentiments, saying: "It's the perfect choice!
"I can't see playing a game with the Russian National Team while the armed assault in Ukraine continues," Lewandowski said on Twitter. "Russian footballers and fans are not to blame, but we can't act as if nothing is going on."
Other members of the Polish team issued joint messages on social media, one in Polish and one in English, expressing their support for the decision of their football association.
"We, the Polish national team players, have decided, in consultation with the Polish Football Association, that we will not participate in the play-off match against Russia as a result of Russia's aggression towards Ukraine," it added.