Support from Lewandowski & Co.
The first version of the article appeared on Transfermarkt on Saturday at 11:42 a.m. and was then supplemented with information on Sweden’s decision.
The Polish Football Association PZPN does not want to play with its national team in the World Cup playoffs against Russia. “No more words, it’s time to act!” tweeted association president Cezary Kulesza on Saturday. “In connection with the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team will not play a playoff game against the Russian team. That’s the only decent decision.”
After Poland, Sweden is also boycotting a possible duel against the Russian national team. “It doesn’t matter where the game is played,” says a statement from the SvFF. The board of the association asked FIFA to cancel the playoff dates in March with Russian participation. “It is difficult for us to believe that FIFA will not heed our call. Russia cannot participate as long as this madness continues,” said Karl-Erik Nilsson, president of the Swedish Football Association.
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Kulesza had previously explained that talks were being held with the associations in Sweden and the Czech Republic in order to present the world association FIFA with a joint statement. The PZPN retweeted the statement. The three associations had already announced two days ago that the upcoming playoff games for the World Cup would not be played on Russian soil. The semi-final between Poland and Russia is scheduled for March 24 in Moscow, with the winner of the match set to meet the winners between Sweden and the Czech Republic five days later and would have gone home.
The decision is supported by the Polish national team. “It’s the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a game against the Russian national team in a situation where armed aggression in Ukraine continues,” wrote captain and Bayern star Robert Lewandowski. “Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing is happening.”
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