Sweden and Czech Republic continue refusal to play Russia in World Cup qualification matches

“We have previously made it known that we do not want to face Russia under these circumstances (following the Russian invasion of Ukraine) and this remains the case until further notice,” said Swedish FA president Karl-Erik Nilsson in a statement.

He added he was “displeased” with FIFA’s decision.

Earlier, the Czech Football Association said Sunday its national team would not play Russia in a World Cup playoff game despite FIFA efforts to make Russia acceptable opponents amid the Ukraine invasion.

“There will be no change in the Czech national team’s … standpoint even after FIFA’s decision to let Russia play at the international level but on neutral grounds, without a flag and anthem,” the FA said in a statement.

The Czechs would have to beat Sweden in Stockholm and Russia would have to beat Poland in Moscow on March 24 to set up a clash between the two countries five days later.

The Polish, Swedish and Czech federations had issued a statement on Thursday – the day the Russian invasion began – demanding FIFA play the matches away from Russia.

FIFA decided later on Sunday that Russia should play home matches at neutral venues and banned its national flag and anthem from matches as Russian troops kept invading Ukraine for the fourth day.

The plan has already irked Poland whose FA chief Cezary Kulesza labelled it as “totally unacceptable”.

“We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances. Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is,” Kulesza tweeted.

– AFP