Sweden and Poland did not like Fifa’s reaction. England also joined the ranks.
The international football federation Fifa announced on Sunday that it will not exclude Russia from the March World Cup qualifiers, even though Russia has started a war in Ukraine.
Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic informed Fifa earlier this weekend that these countries would not agree to face Russia in the World Cup qualifiers. These three national teams are on the Russian route to Qatar.
Countries are demanding action from Fifa. The solution of the international federation was that Russia was allowed to play, but without state symbols and under the name “Russian Football Association”. The matches would be played on an neutral field.
Russia and Sweden played each other in a practice match in Moscow in 2020. AOP
President of the Polish Football Association Cezary Kulesza indignant at Fifa’s decision.
– The decision made by Fifa is unacceptable. We are not interested in participating when there is a war, Kulesza wrote on Twitter.
– Our position is still unchanged. We are not playing against Russia, whatever the name of the Russian team, Kulesza continued.
If you don’t see the Twitter update below, you can check it out from here.
“Really disappointed”
The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet asked the chairman of the Swedish Football Association From Karl-Erik Nilssonwas he happy with Fifa’s solution.
– Together we need to get Fifa to make a stronger decision. Our position remains the same, Nilsson replied.
Nilsson had not seen Poland’s response at the time of Aftonbladet’s interview, but said he did not find Poland’s message surprising.
– It seems that Poland agrees with us. We are really disappointed with (Fifan) the letter.
The English Football Association also announced that England is not going to play against Russia, and this applies to all age groups as well as men and women.
If you don’t see the Twitter update below, you can check it out from here.