Poland has decided to not play against Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-off that was scheduled for March 24 in Moscow amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, reported AFP.
“It is time to act. Due to the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine, the Polish team does not envisage playing the play-off against Russia," wrote Cezary Kulesz - president of the Polish football federation - adding it was the “only correct decision".
Bayern Munich and Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski has reflected on the news saying that it was the "right decision" taken by the federation and that he cannot "imagine playing against Russia".
"The right decision! I cannot imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues," said Lewandowski in a tweet.
The FIFA Men's Player of the Year award winner also said, "Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we cannot pretend that nothing is happening."
"No more words, 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," said Cezary Kulesza, president of Polish Football Federation.
He also said, "This is the only right decision. We are in talks with Swedish and Czech federations to present a common position to FIFA."
Sweden and Czech Republic are the other two teams in Russia's Path B of the European play-offs.