World Cup: Tension as Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic Refuse to Go to Russia for Playoffs

• Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic released a joint statement saying the three nations would not play the World Cup playoffs in Russia
• Russia’s game against Poland in Moscow is a major doubt following the statement released on Thursday, February 24
• Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, UEFA is also considering moving the Champions League final to a different venue

Some World Cup play-offs matches are now in jeopardy after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic released a joint statement refusing to play in Russia.

Russia is scheduled to face Poland in the playoffs in March, with the match set to take place in Moscow.

The winner of that clash will face either Sweden or the Czech Republic, with the overall winner guaranteed a place in the World Cup in Qatar.

But the three countries on Thursday, February 24 released a statement expressing their firm stance to not play in Russia.

Manchester City star attacks Vladimir Putin on Instagram after Russia declared war on Ukraine

Football

"Based on the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine including the security situation, the Football Associations of Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic express their firm position that the play-off matches to qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2022 should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation,” the statement read.

"The signatories to this appeal to not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there.

"The military escalation that we are observing entails serious consequences and considerably lower safety for our national football teams and official delegations.

Russia invades Ukraine

Russia president Vladimir Putin recently declared war on Ukraine, firing missiles on cities and military targets.

Putin, during a pre-dawn TV address, demanded that Ukraine's military lay down its arms.

Ukraine has since declared martial law and all diplomatic relations with Russia have been severed.

Russian Footballer cautions Vladimir Putin against declaring war on Ukraine

Football

UEFA to move Champions League from Russia

Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported that UEFA is set to move the 2022 Champions League final away from the Russian city, St. Petersburg following the country’s military attack on neighbours Ukraine.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called on an ‘extraordinary meeting’ for Friday to discuss whether Russia should host the final amid an impending wave of sanctions on the country.

The European football governing body, who held an emergency meeting on Thursday, February 24 released a statement condemning Russia's military actions against Ukraine.