Sports
Russia-Ukraine War: Wojciech Szczesny Asks FIFA To Take Action Against Moscow
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, whose wife is Ukrainian, has called on FIFA and UEFA to take action against Russia after it invaded Kyiv.
The emotional statement by the Polish goalkeeper comes after his nation boycotted their FIFA World Cup play-off match in Moscow. After Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, Wojciech Szczesny requested that the two major soccer organizations take action against them.
Wojciech Szczesny puts out emotional post amid Russia-Ukraine war
On Saturday, Wojciech Szczesny announced on his official Instagram account that he will not play against the Russian football team due to their country’s ‘unprovoked’ invasion of Ukraine. The former Arsenal goalkeeper wrote, “My wife was born in Ukraine, there is Ukrainian blood in my son, part of my family is still there, and a lot of my workers are Ukrainian. Seeing the suffering on their faces and fear for their countries makes me realize I can’t stand still and pretend that nothing has happened.”
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Despite Wojciech Szczesny’s request that the authorities take action against the Russian football federation, Cezary Kulesza, the president of Poland’s football association, confirmed that his side will not face Russia during their FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Lewandowski wrote on his official social media account on Saturday, “This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Swedish and Czech federations to present a common position to FIFA. It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”