More and more European football associations announce that they no longer want to play international matches against Russia for the time being. After Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic – who should play for a World Cup ticket with Russia at the end of March – England, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark and Wales have now also taken such a position. In the program Studio Football of the NOS sounds criticism of the KNVB, which has not yet released a statement.
Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic already announced on Saturday that they did not intend to play against Russia. FIFA announced three concrete measures against Russia on Sunday evening. The World Football Association has decided that matches of Russian teams must be played on a neutral ground for the time being, without showing the flag or playing the national anthem. In addition, Russia must start playing its matches under the name Football Union of Russia (RFU).
‘Weak bite’, concludes NOS journalist Jeroen Stekelenburg in Studio Football† Evgeniy Levchenko also lashed out at FIFA on Sunday because of the measures against Russia. “It’s super lame, because you’re shifting the problem to the national federations. That is why I think it is good that the Polish and Swedish federations have said: ‘It’s all nice, but we are not going to play that match’”, says Stekelenburg about the measures taken by FIFA. The Polish and Swedish football associations have announced that they do not want to play against Russia with the measures taken by FIFA.
“Which is very difficult: you are going to hit people, football players, clubs and fans who have basically done nothing wrong,” says Stekelenburg. “Only those are sanctions. Sanctions are imposed to punish a country. That is to isolate Russia and Russians. To ensure that there is some sort of revolt in that country, because you have to hit them somewhere. If you could only hit Putin, of course you would. It’s ridiculous to think about Russia being in the Women’s European Championship or the World Cup.”
The list of countries that do not want to play against Russia for the time being is growing. England, Wales, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Denmark have also announced that there will be no more international matches against Russia at all levels. For Switzerland, this also includes the first group match at the European Championship for women in England next summer. Switzerland is in the same group as the the Dutch Lionesses, along with Russia and Sweden.
Statement from The FA: pic.twitter.com/mBTJ2y5gh8
— The FA (@FA) February 27, 2022
Due to the approaching meeting of the the Dutch Lionesses with Russia at the European Championship, a statement from the KNVB is also expected, but the Dutch football association has not yet taken a position. “The KNVB also does not want to comment on what they will do if the situation is still the same and the Netherlands comes to play against Russia in July. I think that’s lame too,” says Stekelenburg. “The KNVB can now say: ‘We are not doing that’. When the situation has completely changed, you can reconsider your position. This situation simply calls for a position to be taken. Regardless of what you’re going to do, you’re also supporting Ukraine by saying you’re turning your back on Russia.”
“The KNVB must issue a clearer statement. As a club or country you might have to say: ‘Okay, we’re not going to play against that’. Point”, agrees Theo Janssen. Stekelenburg: “The KNVB says: ‘We don’t have to take a position yet, because it is still months away’. Well. You have to make that statement from a feeling. That is a matter of principle. It’s not as strong if you wait for it to come your way. Of course they are waiting for FIFA or UEFA to remove Russia from that tournament, then the KNVB does not have to agree with that.”