February 28, (THEWILL) – For the “entire football community,” facing a Russian team in the World Cup playoffs would be a “shameful act,” according to the Polish FA. That was the Polish FA’s reaction to FIFA’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As THEWILL reported, the world’s football governing body opted against a total ban on Russia from international competition, but did not rule out the possibility in the future, stating that the country is on its “final warning.”
Instead, in a move reminiscent of how the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee dealt with Russia’s recent doping scandals, FIFA decided that the country will compete as the “Football Union of Russia,” with no flag or national anthem at games, and all matches will be hosted outside of Russia.
Poland’s FA earlier stated that they will refuse to play Russia in the World Cup playoff semi-finals next month. Sweden and the Czech Republic, who might be the team’s next opponents, have already made it known that they will use the same method, throwing the entire qualification draw into disarray.
FIFA’s action has been met with open criticism by many of those who have reacted to their decision, including Cezary Kulesza, the president of the Polish Football Association.
“Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances,” Kulesza said.
The notion that sport and politics do not mix cannot be used to Russia, according to the Polish FA, because the country has been holding important international sporting events since the annexation of Crimea and the war in Ukraine’s Donbas region in 2014.
It therefore encouraged athletic bodies to stop enabling Russia to utilise events as a means of soft power manifestation.
“The current situation, this brutal aggression towards Ukraine, shows that politics and sport mix. It’s not true they are separate, especially for Russia,” Jakub Kwiatkowski, Poland’s team manager, argued recently.
“FIFA is using the position of the IOC. We do not agree with this approach. For us it’s very clear, football is the most popular sport in the world. This is the sport with the most emotions, that’s why we decided that we are not going to play Russia in the playoffs.
“Regardless of the name of the team, for us the situation is very clear. We are not going to play and we do not intend to play any team from Russia.
“For us, it could be a shameful act. Not only for the players but for the entire football community and contrary to the solidarity to the Ukrainian nation.
“FIFA has a special document, a human rights policy. Now this is the time for them to show that it’s not only the words on the paper but it’s time to act and put it into practice.”
England and Wales have both confirmed that until further notice, none of their teams will face Russia at any level.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
