The president of Poland’s soccer affiliation Cezary Kulesza introduced the information on Saturday.
“No extra phrases, time to behave! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation in direction of Ukraine the Polish nationwide workforce doesn’t intend to play the play-off match in opposition to Russia,” he tweeted.
“We are in talks with (Swedish) and (Czech) federations to carry ahead a joint assertion to FIFA.”
Poland was resulting from journey to Moscow to face Russia on Thursday, March 24, whereas Ukraine was scheduled to journey to face Scotland on the identical day.
The winner of the Poland-Russia recreation would host both Sweden or Czech Republic on March 29 within the closing of their World Cup qualification route.
Bayern Munich famous person and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski echoed Kulesza’s sentiment, saying: “It is the appropriate choice!
“I am unable to think about enjoying a match with the Russian National Team in a state of affairs when armed aggression in Ukraine continues,” Lewandowski tweeted. “Russian footballers and followers should not accountable for this, however we will not faux that nothing is occurring.”
Other members of the Polish squad launched joint statements on their social media — one in Polish and one in English — agreeing with their soccer affiliation’s choice.
“We, the gamers of the Polish nationwide workforce, along with the Polish Football Association, determined that because of Russia’s aggression in opposition to Ukraine, we don’t intend to play within the play-off match in opposition to Russia,” it stated.
“It is just not a straightforward choice, however there are extra necessary issues in life than soccer. Our ideas are with the Ukrainian nation and our pal from the nationwide workforce, Tomasz Kedziora, who continues to be in Kiev along with his household.”
The assertion signed off with the hashtags #SolidarnizUkraina (In solidarity with Ukraine) and #NoWarPlease.
Kedziora is a 27-year-old defender who performed for Dynamo Kyiv.
The Polish soccer affiliation had launched a press release on Thursday which stated it believed the qualifiers shouldn’t be held in Russia.
“Based on the present alarming growth within the battle between Russia and Ukraine, together with the safety state of affairs, the Football Associations of Poland (PZPN), Sweden (SvFF) and Czech Republic (FAČR) categorical their agency place that the playoff matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for twenty-four and 29 March 2022, shouldn’t be performed within the territory of the Russian Federation,” it stated.
“The signatories to this enchantment don’t contemplate touring to Russia and enjoying soccer there. The navy escalation that we’re observing entails critical penalties and significantly decrease security for our nationwide soccer groups and delegations.
“Therefore, we anticipate FIFA and UEFA to react instantly and to current different options relating to locations the place these approaching playoff matches could possibly be performed.”
On Friday, UEFA introduced that this yr’s Champions League Final will not happen in St. Petersburg following a unprecedented assembly of the governing physique’s Executive Committee.
The 2022 closing was scheduled to be held at Krestovsky Stadium, which is sponsored by Russian state-owned firm Gazprom, however will now be moved to the Stade de France in Paris to be performed on the unique date of May 28.
Elsewhere, a few of Russia’s high athletes have been talking out in opposition to the struggle in Ukraine.
World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev stated he’s “all for peace” whereas Andrey Rublev additionally advocated for peace, writing “No struggle please” on the digicam after a win. Writing on the lens is a typical observe after tennis matches.