Lewandowski’s Poland will not play Russia in World Cup qualifier

Poland will not play a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Russia next month because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the president of Poland’s Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, said on Saturday.

Kulesza said the association was in talks with its Swedish and Czech counterparts regarding playoff matches set for March to fill a slot for the World Cup.

“In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic,” Kulesza said on Twitter.

“This is the only right decision. We are in talks with Swedish and Czech association to present a common position to FIFA.”

Russia is due to host Poland in the semi-finals of its strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24.

If its team advances, it is scheduled to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.

FIFA is yet to react to Poland’s position.

But UEFA announced on Friday that any international matches due to be held in Russia or Ukraine would have to be moved to a neutral venue.

It also confirmed that St Petersburg had been stripped of holding this season’s UEFA Champions League final match.

Poland and Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski immediately expressed support for his country, saying it is the ‘right 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. ”

Lewandowski had earlier deplored the invasion of Ukraine.

He said war is against “everything beautiful in sports” as he pleaded for solidarity with Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion of the country.

“Everything beautiful in sports is against what war brings,” Lewandowski posted on his official social media channels.

“For all people who value freedom and peace, this is a time of solidarity with the victims of military aggression in Ukraine.”

On Friday, Bayern Munich lit their stadium up in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag, with coach Julian Nagelsmann expressing his shock at the invasion.

On Thursday, the Polish football association, along with their counterparts from Sweden and the Czech Republic, requested that Russia be barred from hosting any upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.