The English Football Association announced, on Sunday evening, its refusal to face Russia in any international matches, due to the war against Ukraine.
In a statement, the FA said, “In solidarity with Ukraine and sincere condemnation of what it described as ‘atrocities committed by the Russian leaders’, the FA can confirm that we will not play against Russia in any international matches for the foreseeable future.”
The statement confirmed, “This decision includes any possible match at any level in the first team or any age group, whether men or women.”
Statement from The FA: pic.twitter.com/cTNsNAcKCo
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) February 27, 2022
Yesterday, Saturday, Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden announced their refusal to play the qualifying round matches for the 2022 World Cup in Russia.
The official website of the Polish Football Association stated that “the teams of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic refuse to play the qualifying play-off matches for the World Cup against Russia.”
Russia is scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifiers on March 24, and it will host Sweden or the Czech Republic in the final on March 29.