Poland protested against FIFA’s response in Ukraine to Russia’s invasion and said that it would not play Ukraine in the World Cup semifinals, which are scheduled for March 24.
Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish football federation, tweeted that “Today’s FIFA ruling is completely unacceptable.” “We don’t want to participate in this game. We will not play with Russia.
The FIFA Bureau unanimously ruled that the Russian flag and anthem cannot be associated with the “Football Union of Russia” team.
“FIFA will continue its dialogue with the IOC and UEFA to determine any additional sanctions,” FIFA stated in a statement. “Including a possible exclusion from competitions. That shall be applied in a near future if the situation is not improving rapidly.”
This decision follows the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling before the invasion of Ukraine. It punishes Russia for its cover-up of an investigation into state-sponsored ping. This meant that the Russians were forced to compete in the Olympics as the ROC team. FIFA was unable to implement the ban on Russia participating under its name, despite a possibility of qualification for the World Cup.
The winner of Russia-Poland’s playoff will host Sweden on March 29, or the Czech Republic, to determine who progresses to the Nov. 21-Dec.18 World Cup in Qatar.
Karl-Erik Nilsson (the senior UEFA vice-president) stated to Fotbollskanalen he wasn’t satisfied with the FIFA decision. He expected a more “sharp stance”. Czechs stated that the FIFA compromise did nothing to change their decision not play Russia.
FIFA stated that it had been in contact with the three associations and would continue to be in “close touch to seek out appropriate and acceptable solutions together.”
Separately, the English Football Association declared that Russia’s national football teams would not play it in the “foreseeable future”. Russia is currently qualified for the Women’s European Championship hosted by England in June.
According to the English FA, the decision was made “out of solidarity with Ukraine and to condemn wholeheartedly the atrocities being perpetrated by the Russian leadership.”
Aleksandr Dyukov is the president of RFU. He is also chief executive of Gazprom’s subsidiary and sits on UEFA’s executive committee.
Noel Le Graet, president of France’s football federation, told Le Parisien every Sunday that he was considering excluding Russia from this year’s World Cup.
Le Graet said, “The world of sports, in particular football cannot remain neutral.” He sits on FIFA Council’s ruling body and was recently close to Gianni Infantino, the president of the governing body.
If the FIFA World Cup regulations were strictly interpreted, it would make the Czech, Swedish, and Polish federations subject to disciplinary action. They could also be fined and compensated if they didn’t play Russia.
Following sanctions imposed by the United Nations for war in the Balkans, Yugoslavia was removed from FIFA and UEFA’s competitions in 1992.
Infantino is the FIFA Bureau’s chair.
Friday’s 2022 Champions League final was moved to Paris by UEFA. It was also stated that the Russian and Ukrainian teams participating in its competitions had to play their home games in neutral nations. UEFA permitted Spartak Moscow and the Europa League’s second-tier round of 16 to continue their play.
Russian President Vladimir Putin temporarily lost the most important position in international sports as Russia’s war against Ukraine entered its fourth day. For suspending Putin’s honorary presidency status, the International Judo Federation pointed to “the ongoing conflict in Ukraine”.
Russian President is an avid judoka, and attended the London Olympics 2012 in the sport.
On Sunday, the Russian president of the European Judo Union abruptly resigned. Sergey Soloveychik referenced the “heartache we see the people die in brotherly countries” while supporting his country.
He said, “No one can doubt that my heart belongs judo.” It is also true that it belongs my homeland, Russia. Judoka must be loyal to their principles.”
Putin’s favorite sport, ice hockey was also withdrawn by Latvian team Dinamo Riga on Sunday due to the “military-humanitarian crisis.”
