Poland refused play his qualification for the World Cup against Russia next month in response to the Russian one invasion of Ukraine. This move gained wider support when Sweden followed with own plans to protest against FIFA on On Saturday.
Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish football federation announced of Poland decision and said it was in interviews with other federations to present a unified position to FIFA, that is responsible for on March 24 game in Fly.
“No more words, it’s time to act! ” Kulesza wrote on Twitter, adding the move was pushed by the “escalation of aggression “.
Poland captain Robert Lewandowski and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was among them supporting the decision, with the Bayern Munich striker saying “we can’t pretend that nothing is happening”.
Sweden, a potential opponent of Russia in next playoffs months after joined Poland in declaring his national team it wouldn’t play a match against the Russians regardless of where it takes place.
“The illegal and deeply unfair invasion of Ukraine currently does it all football fixtures with Impossible Russia ”, said Karl-Erik Nilsson, president of the Swedish federation. We therefore invite FIFA to decide that the playoffs matches in March in in which Russia participates will be canceled “.
The winner of Poland-Russia match will host Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 for a place at the World Cup in course in Qatar from 21 November to 21 December 18.
“We have a hard believe in time “, Nilsson added”that FIFA will not follow our call. Russia cannot join as long as this madness continues ”.
Nilsson is also first UEFA vice president who stripped Russia of host the Champions League final in St.Pietroburgo in May. UEFA decided to do so on Friday move That game towards Paris.
Lewandowski, Poland of all time leading marker e winner of by FIFA best-player award for the past two years, Kulesza argued announcement.
“I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation of armed aggression in Ukraine continues, “Lewandowski said on Twitter. “Russian footballers and fans they are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing is happening ”.
FIFA has yet to take a clear position on Russia hosting or even playing against Poland.
European football body UEFA said this on Friday in his competitions all Russians and Ukrainians teams must now move They home games to play in Other countries.
A potential precedent for action is from 1992. Both FIFA and UEFA removed Yugoslavia from their competitions following the sanctions imposed by the United Nations at the outbreak of war there.
Previously, Poland had only said no want to play the qualifying playoff semifinal in Fly.
In other sportsSaturday, the Norwegian ski federation declared that Russian skiers are not welcome compete in the Nordic country why of “violations of international law and attacks on the Ukrainian people. “
of Norway call directly contradicts the International Ski Federation (FIS) policy announced Friday in delay and comes days after winter sports power in head to the medal table of the Beijing Olympics with a record 16 golds.
of Russia military invasion of Ukraine from Thursday requires “international condemnation and sanctions “, said the Norwegian federation.
On Friday, the FIS withdrew its remaining World Cup events in this season from Russia, but in later allowed the Russians to carry on to compete.
Kyiv residents prepared on Saturday for another night in shelter underground, while the Russian troops closed in on Ukraine’s capital and skirmishes have been reported on the suburbs. The Ukrainian leader said Ukrainian forces had repelled the assault and promised to continue fighting. “We win”Said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
