Poland Officially Rejects Russia In Qatar World Cup Qualification Play Offs

JAKARTA – The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has officially refused to play the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualification play-off match against Russia next month.

The decision was taken to respond to the turmoil that has arisen in Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia since Thursday, February 24.

The rejection of the match against Russia was conveyed directly by the President of PZPN, Cezary Kulesza, through his personal Twitter account.

"Given the escalation of Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team will not play a match against the Russian Republic," Kulesza wrote.

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. We are in talks with and federations to bring forward a joint statement to FIFA.

— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) February 26, 2022

Poland are scheduled to play Russia in Moscow on March 24 in the first match of Path B. Should Russia beat Poland, they will host winners Sweden against the Czech Republic on March 29.

Kulesza said they were currently in talks with the Swedish and Czech football associations regarding the game against Russia.

"There is nothing more to say, it's time to act. This is the only right decision. We are in discussions with the (Czech and Swedish) federations to advance a common position to FIFA," he continued.

What was conveyed by Kulesza received a response from Bayern Munich player, Robert Lewandowski. He agreed with the decision.

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

"The right decision! I cannot imagine playing against the Russian national team in a situation where the armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing happened." wrote Robert Lewandowski.

This is the latest sporting sanctions imposed on Russia after they invaded Ukraine.

Previously, the Champions League final had also been moved from St Petersburg to Paris by UEFA. The European soccer parent is also under pressure to end sponsorship of Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Meanwhile, Premier League giants Manchester United have removed Russian airline Aeroflot from the club's sponsorship.

Formula One (F1) has also stated that it is impossible for the Russian Grand Prix to be held under the current circumstances. Still from the same sport, the Haas team car affixed with the logo of Russia's sponsor Urakali, was also stripped in a pre-season test last Friday.

Previously Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic had also written a joint letter to FIFA and UEFA. In the letter they stated their refusal to compete in Russia during the 2022 World Cup Qualification play-offs.