criticism of Sweden
Ukraine won’t play their playoff game for the World Cup in Qatar until June. As the world association FIFA announced on Tuesday evening, the game against Scotland originally planned for March 24 has been postponed. This granted a request from the Ukrainian association, which had asked for a postponement because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In coordination with the European Football Union UEFA and the other associations concerned from Austria, Wales and Scotland, the decision was made “unanimously in a spirit of solidarity”. Under the current circumstances, it is impossible to organize the trip and training of the national team, the Ukrainian association justified its request for transfer. “The importance and importance of football is greatly diminished in times of war and our thoughts are with the Ukrainian civilians affected by the conflict,” the Scottish FA wrote on its website.
The match of the first round of the playoffs between Wales and Austria will take place as planned on March 24th. The winner then also plays against Scotland or Ukraine in June for participation in the World Cup at the end of the year.
15 out of 32 tickets awarded: These teams have qualified for the 2022 World Cup
On February 28, FIFA and UEFA banned Russia from all competitions because of the invasion of Ukraine. The world association therefore decided that the game between Russia and Poland, scheduled for March 24, will not take place and that the selection of captain and Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski will receive a bye and enter the second playoff phase without a game. Russia has appealed against the exclusion before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS.
Sweden criticizes FIFA decision for Poland bye in World Cup playoffs
As of March 29, Poland will meet the winner of the game between Sweden and the Czech Republic. “FIFA finally made the right decision regarding Russia, but unfortunately this decision is completely unacceptable from a sporting point of view,” said the Swedish FA, represented by general secretary Hakan Sjöstrand. “We believe that it would have been the fairest and sportiest option if Poland were to meet a new opponent in the semi-finals.” Poland now have “an advantage” with the bye.
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