Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President of Poland’s Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, has announced that the country’s men’s national team will not play Russia in next month’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification play-off.
The Polish team was to take on Russia in Moscow on Thursday March 24 in the World Cup play-off game with a winner between them facing either Sweden or Czech Republic on March 27 for a place at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Kulesza, who made the announcement on Saturday said they are also working with Swedish and Czech football federations to jointly release a statement in to the effects of the boycott.
“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. Said Kulesza
“We are in talks with (Swedish) and (Czech) federations to bring forward a joint statement to FIFA.
Completesports.com reported that Polish players have also solidify with the development in a joint statement.
“We, the players of the Polish national team, together with the Polish Football Association, decided that as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we do not intend to play in the play-off match against Russia.
“It is not an easy decision, but there are more important things in life than football. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian nation and our friend from the national team, Tomasz Kedziora, who is still in Kiev with his family”
The long-predicted Russia invasion of Ukraine became a reality on Thursday when President Vladimir Putin of Russia ordered what it called a “Special military operation” over the Ukrainian territory.
Recall that the world football governing body, FIFA has also called for dialogue in peace talks over the war and condemned the use of force on Ukraine.
In the wake of the attack, the Ukrainian league has also been suspended due to the invasion
