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The International Football Federation (Fifa) imposed Sunday on Russia to play its matches under a neutral banner and to play its home matches outside its territory, following the invasion of Ukraine. A decision already rejected by Poland, Russia’s next opponent.
The Russian anthem and flag will also be banned from international competitions, announced FIFA, which reserves the right to take additional penalties, including potential exclusion from competitions “, while the exclusion of Russians from the 2022 World Cup has been mentioned in recent hours, in particular by the French Federation (FFF).
To participate in international competitions, in particular the 2022 World Cup play-offs scheduled for the end of March, Russia will have to do so under the name of the “Russian Football Federation” (RFU), specifies the body led by Gianni Infantino.
Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden refuse to play against Russia
These decisions, awaited by the sporting world for several days, have been taken ” unanimously “by the office of the Council of Fifa, specifies the instance. However, they cast doubt on the fate of the World Cup play-offs at the end of March, because Poland, which is to face Russia on the 24th, has warned that it will refuse to play the match.
That ” decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this match of appearances. Poland national team WON’T PLAY against Russia no matter the name of the team “, immediately reacted on Twitter Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish Federation.
Sweden and the Czech Republic, who could also have to challenge the Russians a few days later in the final of these play-offs, did the same. The Czech Federation announced on Sunday that it will not would not change opinion on his refusal to confront Russia. The Swedish Federation also said “niet”. ” We made it known previously that we did not want to face (Russia) under these circumstances of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and this remains the case until further notice”said federation president Karl-Erik Nilsson in a statement to the media, saying to himself “ unhappy of FIFA’s decision.
The FFF is not against an exclusion from the 2022 World Cup
Fifa’ took note » of these positions and has « engaged in dialogue ” with the federations concerned, with the aim of ” finding appropriate and acceptable solutions ».
Noël Le Graët, the president of the French Federation, that of the 2018 world champions, said on Sunday that he would not oppose a Russian exclusion from the World Cup. And the English Federation announced in the evening that it would boycott all matches against Russia in ” near future ».
With agencies