“Compromising farce”. The 69-time Polish representative reacts to the FIFA decision

For a long time, FIFA did not make a decision on the match of Poland in the play-off semi-final, which was to be held on March 24 in Moscow. While it decided that Russia would be suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine, it was not known what to do next: whether Poland would get some other rival or go directly to the final. And finally, it was the latter solution: Poland on March 29 will play in Chorzów in the match decisive for the promotion against the winner of the Sweden – Czech Republic pair.

– This is the only right decision, although I thought that FIFA would take into account the organization of a mini-tournament with Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic. It would probably be the most fair – notes Tomasz Kłos.

FIFA’s decision on the direct promotion of Poland to the final is therefore controversial, mainly in Sweden. – Poland’s direct promotion to the final on March 29 would be unfair, because our match, i.e. Sweden and the Czech Republic, and the final are only five days away, so there are fatigue, injuries and possible red cards – said Hakon Sjoestrand, secretary general of the Swedish federation, in an interview with the daily “Aftonbladet”.

“A compromising farce has come out”

– Russia simply had to be excluded, and since we found it in the draw, we are now in the final. Are Sweden and the Czech Republic aggrieved by this decision? I wouldn’t say. PZPN would like to play a friendly match instead of a match with Russia, if it succeeds, of course, coach Michniewicz will be able to spare the best players, cards will not count, but the risk of injury and effort will be comparable – replies Kłos.

But the 69-time Polish representative is outraged by such a long waiting time for specific FIFA decisions. The more so because Jakub Kwiatkowski, the spokesman for the Polish national team, said on Monday’s Sport.pl LIVE program that PZPN had sent three letters on this matter and had not received any official reply. – I am surprised that FIFA has waited so long with this decision. Russia’s exclusion should be immediate and decisive, as well as the decision on play-off matches. And that was not the case and a compromising farce emerged – ends Tomasz Kłos.