FIFA is now under fire for allowing Russia’s football team to play in “neutral grounds” after several countries refused to play against the team in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA governing body and chief Gianni Infantino is now under fire after the organization allowed Russia’s football them to compete in the play-offs at neutral venues under the name “Football Union of Russia” — but with no national anthem, flag or fans.
The entire World Cup is now under threat due to its refusal to kick Russia out of the competition, over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
In FIFA’s defense, “additional sanctions” will be included and could mean “potential exclusion from competitions” similar to the ones the country has imposed on them at the Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Russia’s football team will have upcoming games which included a play-off against Poland, and would face either Sweden or Czech Republic if they were successful.
However, all three countries have already said they won't face Valeri Karpin's side.
The president of Poland's football association Cezary Kulesza announced the news on Saturday (February 26).
"No more words, time to act! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia," he tweeted.
The Swedish Football Association (SVFF) also said on Saturday its board had decided that its men's national team "will not play a possible playoff match against Russia -- regardless of where the match is played.
"The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates," the SVFF statement added.
"We have a hard time believing that FIFA will not follow our call. Russia cannot join as long as this madness continues," the Swedish FA said.
Czech Republic was the last country to pull out of the playoff matches, even if it was moved to a neutral venue.
“The FA executive committee approved unanimously the decision that the Czech national team will under no circumstances play the possible game against Russia’s team in the 2022 World Cup qualification,” the Czech FA said.
Tags: #sports, #football, #WorldCup, #Russia, #Ukraine