Zbigniew Boniek on the suspension of the Russians: Harming populism

The Russian invasion of Ukraine irretrievably changed the world we knew. The issue of European security has become a huge question mark, so the West is taking unprecedented steps in an attempt to stop the aggression unleashed by Vladimir Putin. Severe sanctions are imposed on Russia, which also affect sports.

Sanctions were imposed, inter alia, on on Russian and Belarusian slag workers whose licenses have been suspended by the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM). This means that they will not be able to appear, inter alia, in the Speedway Grand Prix. A ban on competitors from Russia and Belarus has also been imposed by the Polish Motor Union, which means that we will not see them in Polish leagues.

Boniek: We don’t let them practice their profession in the name of some populism?

was a guest on the program, in which he referred to the decision to suspend Russian players from the Polish league. – If someone is Russian and also has a Polish passport, he is Polish. He has lived in Poland for 10 years, pays taxes in Poland, owes everything to Poland. He criticized the war. His children go to Polish schools. They were suspended by the Russian federation on the grounds that they criticized the proceedings. So I am asking: we are preventing them from practicing their profession, which they can do best, in the name of some populism? – emphasized the former president of the Polish Football Association.

– In my opinion, the decision was made quickly, because everyone was in a hurry. Everyone wanted to make a decision as soon as possible, I wanted to show that he is faster and better than others. I miss something top-down in this. A resolution, an act of the Ministry of Sport. Because yes: Russian players play hockey, they play football. A great tennis tournament is underway, also played by the Russians. It is difficult for me to understand why this decision was taken – he added.

– Maybe a decision was made quickly and well, but in case someone reflects. We’ve always said to avoid collective responsibility. We need it today, because Russia must bear the consequences for the actions of a madman. In the end, however, it should not be that the consequences will be borne by those who actually disconnect from it and are against it, said Boniek.

The former president of the Polish Football Association also reminded that Poles have footballers who play in the Russian league. – We also have examples of footballers who play in Russia, take money from Russian clubs and nobody bothers. The situation is not easy. I personally know £ Aguta, Sajfudinov, but I don’t want to represent their interests. It seems to me that this populism, such quick decisions, hurt more. I do not see any “reasonable” situation in this decision – concluded Boniek.