What did Lewandowski say about not playing in the playoff against Russia for qualification to Qatar?

The president of the Polish Football Federation (PZPN), Cezary Kulesza, announced today that Poland will not play Russia in the playoff for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to the Russian invasion against Ukraine.

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In a message on his Twitter account, Kulesza writes that "in connection with the escalation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play with Russia."

"This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Swedish and Czech federations to present a common position to FIFA," he adds.

Poland should initially meet Russia on March 24 in Moscow in the semifinal of their playoff, a match organized by FIFA. If the Russians overcome the Poles, they should then host either Sweden or the Czech Republic, who meet on March 24 in the other semifinal, on March 29.

What did Lewandowski say?

The captain of the Polish national team, Robert Lewandowski, immediately welcomed the position taken by his federation.

FIFA has so far taken no action against Russia and on Thursday merely expressed "concern" at a "tragic and disturbing" situation, according to its president, Gianni Infantino.

"The first match is in a month, we hope of course that this solution will have been solved long before then. We want to believe in that strongly, but we can make a decision at any time," Infantino had added.

Sweden would also refuse to play in Russia

Following Poland's announcement, Sweden's federation will also refuse to play against Russia if the two teams must meet in the playoff as a form of protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine. "Whatever FIFA decides, we will not play Russia in March," Swedish federation president Karl-Erik Nilsson said in a statement.

It should be recalled that a few hours after the start of the war conflict on Ukrainian territory, the three federations issued a statement in which they expressed their refusal to participate in the playoffs for the Qatar 2022 World Cup on Russian soil.

"The soccer federations of Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic categorically condemn Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. In view of the current situation, the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the Swedish Federation (SVFF), and the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAcR) express a firm position that is scheduled for March 24 and 29 this year," they explained in the letter.

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