Barcelona and Napoli players hold up a banner ahead of their game Russia’s future in the World Cup teetered on a knife-edge on Monday after FIFA plans to allow them to play on neutral territory were dismissed as “unacceptable” by rivals, plunging the qualifying process for football’s showpiece event into chaos.
Governing body FIFA warned that they were considering the ultimate sanction against Russia as punishment for their bloody invasion of Ukraine.
However, after three days of silence, they stopped short and ordered Russia to play home internationals at neutral venues where their national flag and anthem would be banned.
Russian teams would be known as the Football Union of Russia.
FIFA said dialogue with other sports organisations to determine additional measures “including potential exclusion from competitions” would continue.
However, within minutes of the announcement, the Polish FA insisted they would not play Russia in a scheduled World Cup play-off, regardless of the venue.
“Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable,” tweeted Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza.
“We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is.”
Poland are due to play in Moscow on March 24 with the winners to host either the Czech Republic or Sweden five days later.
The draw for the World Cup finals, to be staged in Qatar in November and December, is on April 1. Sweden and the Czech Republic followed suit.
“We have previously made it known that we do not want to face Russia under these circumstances (following the invasion) and this remains the case until further notice,” said Swedish FA president Karl-Erik Nilsson.
He added he was “displeased” with FIFA’s decision.
The Czech FA added: “There will be no change in the Czech national team’s standpoint.” In response, FIFA said in a statement that it had “taken good note of the positions expressed via social media by the Polish Football Association, the Football Association of the Czech Republic and the Swedish Football Association.”
“FIFA will remain in close contact to seek to find appropriate and acceptable solutions together,” it said. French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet led calls on Sunday for Russia to be kicked out of the World Cup.
“The world of sport, and especially football, cannot remain neutral. I certainly would not oppose the expulsion of Russia,” Le Graet told Le Parisien newspaper. France are the World Cup holders after winning the 2018 tournament which was hosted by Russia. The English FA said their national teams would not play any games against Russia “out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership”.
The Welsh FA said they too would join a boycott as it “stands in solidarity with Ukraine and feels an extreme amount of sadness and shock to the recent developments in the country”.—AFP
