Kulesza crushes FIFA’s decision. “Scandalous proposition, I did not hesitate even a minute”

The military invasion of Ukraine also affects the world of sport. Poland, as well as Sweden and the Czech Republic, have boycotted matches with Russia in the play-offs to be played in Qatar at the end of 2022. In an interview with the service “” PZPN president Cezary Kulesza talked about the backstage of this decision. Initially, the Poles announced that they did not want to play in Russia, but then they went one step further. The Polish national team is not going to play with the Russians at all.

– It required reflection, analysis. From the beginning, however, we kept our finger on the pulse. Already on Tuesday, even before the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, we sent a letter expressing our deep concern and asking for an urgent position on the play-off match. However, on Thursday, after the invasion, the circumstances changed dramatically and we definitely decided that we would not go to Russia. We also persuaded our partners from Sweden and the Czech Republic to do so. Everything changed from day to day, we saw pictures of Ukrainian cities destroyed, civilians who died. We couldn’t tolerate it anymore and on Friday, after all day long talks, we decided not to play with the Russians at all. It is encouraging that this move was supported by all our team members, including Kamil Glik. As the Polish football community, we will be in solidarity with the Ukrainians. Therefore, we are very consistent in our decision, he said.

Kulesza firmly about FIFA’s decision. “Should we pretend?”

FIFA’s reaction was, needless to say, scandalous. The football headquarters have published a message on its website, which states that, at least for now, Russia will not be excluded from the tournament. Its clubs and the national team will play their home games in neutral territories without the participation of fans. Moreover, the national team of this country will not play under the name of “Russia” but “Russian Football Association”. The Russians will also not be able to use their flag and anthem. FIFA has not determined its final decision, so there is still a possibility of excluding Russia from international competitions.

“I’m not interested in the game of appearances,” Kulesza said. – A real tragedy is happening in Ukraine, people are dying, including athletes, and we would have to pretend that Russia is not Russia, because it is playing under a different name? It was an outrageous proposition, I didn’t hesitate for a minute. At this difficult moment, we must act as we should. We, Poles, understand it, Swedes and Czechs also understand it. It was Russia that brought about this situation with its aggression. Games in Ukraine are suspended, footballers have joined the army, they are fighting for the independence of their country. They can die. I talked about it with my friend, the head of the Ukrainian Football Association, Andriy Pavelko, whom we offered to help. This is a clear proof that we will not leave Ukraine alone at the time of the toughest trial – stated the president of the Polish Football Association.

Now the Polish union is urging other European federations to support Poland and put pressure on FIFA together. he sent a letter to all European football associations.

– We are consistent in this letter: we will not play with the Russian national team, wherever this match takes place and whatever the name of the Russian team is. We believe that other federations should join our position. So I asked for such a document to be prepared and sent. We called for solidarity in it and the response is very large. On Monday morning, I receive phone calls with the support of many countries. Nobody has any doubts that the Polish example is correct. Several federations, such as England, Albania, Denmark, Norway and Wales, have already officially announced that they will not play with the Russians either. It is a very encouraging attitude – said Kulesza.