‘We can’t pretend nothing is happening’: Poland’s Lewandowski on Russia-Ukraine

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of neighbours Ukraine, Poland’s FA on Saturday announced that they will not take part in their 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off on March 24 in Russia.

Poland and Russia were slated to lock horns for a place in the final and would have faced either Sweden or Czech Republic in the summit clash.

Cezary Kulesz, the president of the Polish football federation said on Twitter: “No more words, it’s time to act. Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia.”

To which Poland men’s football team captain replied: “It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”

On Friday, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus.

IOC said that they should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes an absolute priority. The IOC itself has no events planned in Russia or Belarus.

UEFA has already shifted the men’s Champions League final venue from Russia to France and Formula 1 cancelled the Russian Grand Prix amid the Ukraine crisis.