[Sports Road News]The war triggered by Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has continued to the fifth day (28th), when the global sports world has successively canceled the competition in Russia, or some athletes refused to play against their Russian opponents. However, as the leader of international football, FIFA still has not made a decisive decision, and has not kicked Russia out of the 2022 Qatar World Cup European qualifying play-offs, only stipulating that Russia can only play in the name of the Russian Football Association. The decision not to display the national flag and play the national anthem, and to play behind closed doors at a neutral position, has been criticized.
After Poland and Sweden, the Czech Republic also refused to play against Russia in the World Cup play-offs on Sunday (27th). Since the 4 teams belonged to the same route in the play-offs, the 3 teams successively stated that they would not play against Russia, and originally asked FIFA to respond. However, after a few days of silence, the FIFA committee still made a decision to allow Russia to play games under certain restrictions, and said that it would maintain dialogue with sports organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Football Association (UEFA). “Follow-up actions may include suspensions.”
As soon as FIFA’s decision came out, the Polish FA, which took the lead in refusing to play against Russia, has once again stated its position, describing the decision as “unacceptable”. Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish FA, said: “In the war situation in Ukraine, we are not interested in such a game. Our position remains the same: no matter what the name of the Russian team is, Poland will not play in the play-offs with Russia will play against Russia.” According to the British “Guardian” report, the Polish Football Association has also sent a letter to FIFA to reject the arrangement of the World Cup play-offs and demand that Russia be expelled from the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In a letter from the Polish Football Association to FIFA, it is more clear that “if FIFA’s human rights policy is not on paper, now is the time to kick Russia out of the World Cup.”
In addition to Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, the English FA made a statement less than an hour before FIFA’s decision on Sunday, stating that “it will not play against Russia in any international competition in the foreseeable future”; Russian women’s football The team has reached the final week of the European Championships, which is tentatively scheduled to be held in the UK in June this year. French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët has also made it clear earlier that he is inclined to expel Russia from the World Cup.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup European qualifying play-offs will start on the 24th of next month. In Group B of the promotion route, Poland will be a guest in Russia according to the schedule. On the same day, Sweden will play the Czech Republic at home. The winner of the two matches will be played five days later ( 29) to compete for a final week seat. Under the strictest FIFA World Cup rules, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic face penalties and fines and compensation if they do not play against Russia. However, as early as 1992, FIFA and UEFA had expelled the Eastern European country from the European Cup of Nations that year after the United Nations imposed sanctions on the former Yugoslavia.
UEFA on Friday (25th), the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, has decided to move the Europa League final, which was originally held in St. Petersburg, to Paris, France.
Source: Comprehensive foreign media
This article is by “Sportsroad“Originally published in “【Football】Russia’s weak FIFA decision to refuse to kick out of the World Cup is bombarded」