Wojciech Szczesny makes passionate plea to FIFA after Poland boycott Russia match

Poland and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has called on FIFA to take action and hold Russia to account after the invasion of Ukraine.

The Poland national football team have refused to participate in their 2022 World Cup qualifying clash against Russia in Moscow next month.

Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza tweeted on Saturday: ‘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 the Russian national team.

‘This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Sweden and Czech Republic federations to bring forward a common position to FIFA.’

For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live

For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live

Poland international players have taken to social media to back the decision, with captain Robert Lewandowski saying: ‘It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation where armed aggression in Ukraine continues.

‘Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening.’

While UEFA have banned Russian teams from hosting games in their competitions, FIFA have yet to take a clear position.

And in an emotional statement on hisInstagram page, former Arsenal stopper Szczesny, whose wife was born in Ukraine, stated he is also refusing to play against Russia, and urged FIFA to act.

‘My wife was born in Ukraine, there is Ukrainian blood running through the veins of my son, part of our family is still in Ukraine, a lot of my workers are Ukrainian and they’re all great people,’