Poland, Sweden refuse to play Russia in World Cup playoffs

Poland's refusal to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine gained wider support when Sweden followed with its own plans to protest to FIFA on Saturday.

Polish soccer federation president Cezary Kulesza announced Poland's decision and said it was in talks with other federations to present a unified position to FIFA, which is responsible for the March 24 game in Moscow.

"No more words, time to act!" Kulesza wrote on Twitter, adding the move was prompted by the "escalation of the aggression."

No more words, time to act! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia. We are in talks with