Czech FA refuses to play World Cup qualifier with Russia

The Czech Republic will not play a potential soccer World Cup qualifier against the background of Russia's military attacks on Ukraine. Russia has launched a large-scale military operation against Ukraine since last Thursday, under the pretext of defending separatists loyal to it in the Donbas region. The Czech Federation issued an official statement today, Sunday, saying: “The members of the Executive Committee of the Czech Federation, members of the work team and players of the national team agreed that it is not possible to play against the Russian team in the current situation, not even on a neutral stadium, and we all want the war to end as soon as possible."The draw for the European supplement, which was held last November, placed the teams of Russia, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic in the second qualifying track for the World Cup.
Russia are scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of their strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if they advance, to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.
The Poland, Czech Republic and Sweden soccer federations have issued a joint statement saying they will “not consider traveling to Russia” for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers given the current conflict in Ukraine.