Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic are all refusing to play Russia in the 2022 World Cup playoffs next month amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision by the three countries could throw the UEFA World Cup qualifiers in disarray, leaving FIFA president Gianni Infantino to find a solution within the next month.
Sweden and Poland made the decision on Saturday, and the Czech Republic followed Sunday morning.
Early last week, before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered strikes on Ukraine, the three countries released a statement that they wouldn’t travel to Russia for the qualifying matches. Now, they’re saying no games versus Russia at all.
“The Czech FA executive committee, staff members and players of the national team agreed it’s not possible to play against the Russian national team in the current situation, not even on the neutral venue. We all want the war to end as soon as possible,” the Czech Football National Team tweeted Sunday morning.
“In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against the Russian Republic,” Polish soccer federation president Cezary Kulesza wrote on Twitter.
“The men’s national team will not play against Russia — regardless of where the match is played,” reads a statement from the Swedish federation. “The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates.”
“The Czech FA executive committee, staff members and players of the national team agreed it’s not possible to play against the Russian national team in the current situation, not even on the neutral venue.
— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) February 27, 2022
We all want the war to end as soon as possible.” pic.twitter.com/NQK6YGNoHJ
On Thursday, Infantino said he hoped the “whole situation will be solved before” the matches are scheduled in late March. He has not responded yet to the three countries standing together against playing Russia.
Some players have spoken out in favor of their country’s decision to refuse playing Russia. Robert Lewandowski, a star striker for Poland’s national team and popular Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, wrote on Twitter Sunday morning that his country was making the “right decision.”
“I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues,” he wrote. “Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”
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
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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