Robert web image ST

Picture Credit: Twitter

Poland has refused to play a World Cup play-off match against Russia next month because of the Ukraine invasion, according to the Polish FA.

The association’s president, Cezary Kulesza, said on Twitter: “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 the association was in talks with its Swedish and Czech counterparts regarding the matches. The winners of the match between Sweden and the Czech Republic were supposed to play the victors of the Russia vs Poland game to determine who would qualify for the World Cup later this year.

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The decision has even received backing from star player and Poland's highest goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski. The 33-year-old tweeted: "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."

In a separate statement, the Polish team said: "We, the players of the Polish national team, together with the Polish Football Association, decided that as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we do not intend to play in the play-off match against Russia."

European football’s governing body UEFA punished Russia on Friday by stripping Saint Petersburg of hosting European club football’s showpiece event the Champions League final on May 28 and awarded it to Paris.

ALSO READ | UEFA Champions League final moved to Paris from Saint Petersburg amid Russia-Ukraine war