After Poland, Sweden also refuse to play Russia
Poland and Sweden insisted on Saturday they will not play Russia in World Cup play-offs in the latest shockwaves in sport following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Saturday saw the third day of hostilities since Russian leader Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale invasion that has killed dozens of people, forced more than 50,000 to flee Ukraine in just 48 hours and sparked fears of a wider conflict in Europe.
No more words, time to act! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia. We are in talks with 🇸🇪 and 🇨🇿 federations to bring forward a joint statement to FIFA.
— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) February 26, 2022
“The time for talking is over. It is time to act. Due to the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine, the Polish team does not envisage playing the play-off against Russia,” wrote Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza.
His Swedish counterpart soon followed suit.
SvFF´s besked: Herrlandslaget kommer inte att spela mot Ryssland – oavsett var matchen spelas.
Förbundsstyrelsen uppmanar samtidigt FIFA att ställa in de play off-matcher i mars där Ryssland deltar.
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) February 26, 2022
“Whatever FIFA decide, we will not play against Russia in March,” said federation president Karl-Erik Nilsson.
Poland are scheduled to play in Moscow on March 24 while the Swedes would be away to Russia were both to win their play-offs. The Swedes first face the Czech Republic.
It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening. https://t.co/rfnfbXzdjF
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) February 26, 2022
“The right decision!” tweeted Bayern Munich star and Poland captain Robert Lewandowski.
“I cannot imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues.”
Bayern players wore black armbands in their game at Eintracht Frankfurt while Lewandowski opted for a yellow and blue one band.
As an athlete, I can't pretend nothing is happening🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/eL0ccpJhdG
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) February 26, 2022
“I decided to wear the armband this morning, the world cannot accept what is going on, we have to support Ukraine and the people fighting there,” he said.