Scottish FA joins counterparts in refusing to face Russia until further notice

The Scottish Football Association has joined its English and Welsh counterparts in refusing to face Russia at any level until further notice.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted a number of European associations to say they would refuse to play against them, including the Polish, Swedish and Czech federations, who are part of a four-team World Cup play-off draw with Russia.

Scotland are due to face Ukraine in a play-off semi-final on March 24 and SFA president Rod Petrie has written to his Ukrainian counterpart to offer a message of “support, friendship and unity”.

Petrie has also offered the Ukrainian FA support in its preparations for the play-off, and for a Women’s World Cup qualifier between the countries which had been scheduled to be played in Ukraine in April.

The SFA says under current circumstances it will not nominate a team to face Russia in August for the amateur UEFA Regions Cup event, or take them on in any other international fixture.

“Football is inconsequential amid conflict but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days,” the SFA said.

Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia- SFA statement

“We remain in dialogue with UEFA and FIFA regarding our men’s FIFA World Cup play-off and Women’s World Cup qualifier and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues’ preparations as best we can in these unimaginably difficult circumstances.

“Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia, due to be played