Ukraine crisis: Poland to boycott World Cup play-off towards Russia

ultimate up to date on 1 hour ago1 hour in the past.From the area football

Robert Lewandowski is Poland's captain and list goalscorer

Poland will boycott their World Cup play-off against Russia on account of the invasion of Ukraine, with captain Robert Lewandowski announcing "we cannot faux that nothing is happening".

Polish football affiliation president Cezary Kulesza has referred to the team "does not intend" to play the game.

Russia are because of host Poland in Moscow on 24 March, while Ukraine shuttle to Scotland on the same day.

"The right determination," tweetedexternal-hyperlink Lewandowski.

On Thursday, Fifa observed it could computer screen the circumstance after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic mentioned in a joint observation that play-off suits should not be played in Russia.

"No extra words, time to act," tweeted Kulesza on Saturday.

The winner of the play-off tie between Sweden and the Czech Republic could meet Russia for a place on the World Cup finals, which get beneath manner in Qatar in November.

Sweden have joined Poland in asserting they'll now not play towards Russia in spite of where the match is performed as a result of the "illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine".

The nation's football association additionally advised Fifa to cancel the play-off suits involving Russia.

The Scottish FA is in talks with Uefa over the home World Cup play-off semi-remaining against Ukraine and the deliberate ladies's World Cup qualifier in Kyiv in April.

meanwhile, former world heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko, whose older brother Vitali is now mayor of Kyiv, entreated americans across the world to support Ukraine to "cease Russian aggression".

"i am addressing the entire world to cease this struggle which Russia has began. There isn't any time to attend because it is going to bleed into a humanitarian catastrophe," he mentioned.

"You deserve to act now. An hour or by day after today could be too late. Please get into motion now, do not wait. stop this war."

How else has sport replied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

Many sports governing bodies, golf equipment and gamers have reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by using cancelling or suspending activities due to be held in the place.

The 2022 Champions League final should be performed in Paris after Uefa - European football's governing physique - moved the fit away from St Petersburg

Uefa also ordered Russian and Ukrainian clubs and country wide groups to play their home fits far from the region "until extra observe"

Uefa is looking to end its important £30m-a-12 months sponsorship contend with Russian state-run gas gigantic Gazprom

Russia's formula 1 Grand Prix, as a result of take vicinity in Sochi in September, has been cancelled

overseas activities federations have been urged to flow or cancel activities at present deliberate in Russia or Belarus by way of the overseas Olympic Committee

The overseas Basketball Federation (FIBA) has postponed World Cup 2023 qualifiers involving Netherlands v Russia on 27 February and tremendous Britain v Belarus on 28 February

Manchester United have terminated their sponsorship deal with Russia's national airline Aeroflot

On Thursday, soccer golf equipment, players and lovers showed their aid for Ukraine with anti-war T-shirts and banners

Pep Guardiola, David Moyes, Ralf Rangnick & Thomas Tuchel on the Ukraine invasion'My moral sense may not let me play' - what else did the Poland gamers say?

Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, 33, who is his nation's all-time highest goalscorer, referred to: "I can not imagine playing a suit with the Russian country wide crew in a condition when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not accountable for this, but we cannot faux that nothing is going on."

Polish FA president Kulesza introduced: "as a result of the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Polish national team doesn't intend to play the play-off match in opposition t Russia.

"here is the only appropriate decision. we are in talks with the Sweden and Czech Republic to present a standard position to Fifa."

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who plays for Italian champions Juventus, observed his "conscience" would now not let him play.

"I refuse to face on the pitch, wearing the shades of my country and take heed to the national anthem of Russia," wrote the 31-yr-ancient former Arsenal player, whose wife become born in Ukraine.

"I refuse to take half in a carrying event that legitimises the moves of the Russian government."

different individuals of the Poland squad, together with Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich, Southampton defender Jan Bednarek and Aston Villa defender Matty money posted messages on social media which outlined their place.

"It is not an easy resolution but there are greater vital things than soccer," examine the collective commentary.

The Poland players also highlighted the case of team-mate Tomasz Kedziora, who performs for Ukrainian membership Dynamo Kyiv and continues to be in the Ukrainian capital.

BBC recreation has learned that the united kingdom govt plans to conduct conferences with UK activities bodies early next week to discover what else may be achieved to accentuate Russia's sporting isolation.

Ministers have already welcomed Uefa's decision to strip St Petersburg of the Champions League last.

Now they're prone to ask the FA to hang talks with other nations' football associations to see if greater can also be carried out to place drive on Fifa to expel Russia from World Cup qualifying.

meanwhile, the overseas Paralympic Committee will grasp an govt board meeting on Wednesday when the crisis will be discussed.

At this stage it is known IPC bosses accept as true with their rules do not enable for Russia to be excluded, and that one of these movement could be correctly challenged through Russia in courtroom. however extra talks are set to take vicinity on the assembly next week.