Sweden object to playing Russia in Qatar qualifiers
STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s soccer federation maintained its objection to playing any matches against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and expressed its disappointment with FIFA for keeping the Russians in World Cup qualifying. Sweden’s official stance came a day after Poland and the Czech Republic declared they would not accept FIFA’s compromise in ordering Russia to play without its flag at neutral venues under the name of its federation.
“The Swedish Football Association is disappointed with FIFA’s decision but is determined to continue to work together with other federations to cancel Russia’s matches in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers,” the body said. “The Swedish Football Association insists that we will not play any matches against Russia given its illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine. An attitude shared by the Czech and Polish football federations, among others.” The federation said world soccer “cannot silently watch and not act when countries are attacked completely unjustly.” Swedish federation president Karl-Erik
Nilsson is the senior vice president at UEFA. Nilsson said Sunday he expects a “sharper stance” from FIFA.
Russia is scheduled to play Poland in a semifinal match in the World Cup playoffs on March 24 for the right to host Sweden or the Czech Republic five days later to decide which team advances to the World Cup in Qatar. Polish football federation president Cezary Kulesza said Sunday it was “totally unacceptable” that FIFA had not immediately expelled Russia from World Cup qualifying and said Poland is “not interested in participating in this game of appearances.” The Czechs followed by saying FIFA’s stance had not changed their decision not to play Russia.
Another of Russia’s future opponents, Albania, also said Sunday it would not play against that country in any sports.
Ukraine athletes defend country
WASHINGTON: Earlier this month, Ukrainian skeleton rider Vladyslav Heraskevych flashed a sign at the Olympics: “No war in Ukraine.” On Sunday, he was hunkered down about 150 kilometers (90 miles) outside of his nation’s capital with weapons nearby in case he needs to defend his country.
“I am a student,” the 23-yearold said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “I am not experienced in these type of things. But I am ready to stand strong and help in any way I can.” With Russian troops encircling the capital of Kyiv, Heraskevych was among a rapidly growing list of athletes from Ukraine and about two dozen other countries who sent an open letter to Olympic and Paralympic leaders, urging them to immediately suspend the Russian and Belarusian Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a clear breach of the Olympic and Paralympic Charters — a breach that must be met with strong sanctions,” said the letter addressed to IOC President Thomas Bach and his counterpart on the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons. Among those putting their names on the letter were four-time Olympian Paula Radcliffe of Britain, six-time Olympian Clara Hughes of Canada, two-time Paralympian Greta Neimanas and Beckie Scott, the Canadian Olympic champion who served as head of WADA’s athlete commission.