Czech FA joins Poland and Sweden in refusing to play Russia
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Loading... - Brandon Stevens
- 28 Feb 2022
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Following an FAÄŒR Executive Committee meeting and discussions with players, it has been agreed that the Czech national team will not play Russia, "not even on the neutral venue"
The FAÄŒR had already joined the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and Swedish Football Association (SvFF) in telling FIFA and UEFA it was not prepared to play the qualifiers in Russia as was scheduled.
Russia and Poland are due to meet next month, with Sweden facing the Czechs in the same country, and the two winners would then face off for a place at Qatar 2022.
Yesterday, in light of Russia invading Ukraine, the PZPN and SvFF both told FIFA their men's teams will refuse to play Russia at any venue, and forfeit the games should Russia not be kicked out of qualifying.
FAÄŒR President Petr Fousek insisted such a policy could not be adopted until the FAÄŒR Executive Committee had met, but suggested the FAÄŒR was "very likely" to follow.
Now it has.
Some have criticised the speed of the FAČR response, including Ballon d'Or winner and former national team player Pavel Nedvěd.
"I expect my country to do the same," Nedvěd said on Italian television yesterday when asked about the stance of Poland and Sweden.
"I don't understand what they're waiting for."
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday (February 24) following months of tension.
Hundreds have been killed including at least 198 Ukrainian citizens, according to the Government's most recent update, and many thousands more displaced.
There is fighting on the streets of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, while an oil depot near Kyiv was bombed overnight.
Much of the international community has condemned the invasion and Russia has been met with sporting sanctions, including having the UEFA Champions League final moved from the country to France. Read More…
