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Feb 26, 2022 · Poland will boycott their World Cup play-off against Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine, with captain Robert Lewandowski saying "we can't pretend that nothing is happening". Polish football ...
Feb 23, 2022 · After occupying Poland for 123 years prior to World War I, Russia invaded Poland again during World War II and installed a puppet communist regime after the war that lasted until 1989.
Feb 27, 2022 · The three other countries involved in the battle for the World Cup place — Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic — have all refused to play Russia under any circumstances as a protest against ...
- Russia
- Kenya and Zimbabwe
- South Africa
- Yugoslavia
- Chile
- Indonesia
- Kuwait
- Mexico
- Myanmar
- Controversial Decisions to Let Teams Play
In February, FIFA and UEFA banned all Russian clubs and national teams “until further notice” as a result of its war against Ukraine. Pressure had been mounting from other countries; many European teams, such as England, Poland, and Sweden had already said they refused to play against Russia. In addition to the Russian men’s team being barred from ...
Typically, countries are banned temporarily due to governmental interference or issues with the national federation overseeing the sport. That’s what happened with Kenya and Zimbabweearlier this year. Kenya’s sports ministry shut down the Football Kenya Federation after allegations that funds had been misused. Zimbabwe’s Football Association was su...
FIFA suspended South Africa in 1961 in response to growing calls from the anti-apartheid movement to boycott South Africa. The country’s law at the time banned mixed-race sports teamsand required foreign countries participating in international competitions held in South Africa to send all-white teams. Following their suspension from global soccer,...
FIFA and UEFA banned Yugoslaviafrom playing in the 1992 European cup and the 1994 World Cup following U.N. sanctions amid the Serb-dominated government’s aggression in the Balkans, particularly toward the former republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Chile could not play in qualifying games for the 1994 World Cup held in the U.S. after a dramatic attempt to steal a spot in the 1990 tournament from their rival, Brazil. Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas appeared to be hit by a flare thrown from the stadium’s Brazilian section while Brazil was 1-0 up with 20 minutes left to play. A victory or draw ...
In 2015, FIFA alleged third party interference of Indonesia’s local soccer association by the government. Although the ban was lifted in 2016, it prevented the team from competing in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers.
In 2016, Kuwait had to forfeit a qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup against Myanmar. FIFA had previously suspended the country’s football association, alleging government interference in the country’s local football association. The ban lasted for more than two years.
FIFA banned Mexico from participating in the 1990 World Cup held in Italy because they includedfour overage playersin qualifying games for the 1989 World Youth Championship. The suspension lasted for two years.
In 2011, the team’s fans were violent during an Asian qualifying match against Oman. They threw rocks and glass bottles at the referee, Omani players, and the visiting coach. The Omani squad eventually escaped to the dressing room to stay safe. FIFA awarded Oman, already up 2-0 in the game, a victory that saw Myanmar eliminated from the 2014 World ...
There are many historical examples where FIFA has not banned countries committing abuses. Notably, in the 1938 World Cup, Nazi Germany participated. In 1978, Argentina both participated and hosted the tournamentdespite a military coup two years earlier. The stadium where the World Cup final was played was only a few miles away from a military deten...
Feb 26, 2022 · Poland is refusing to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to the invasion of Ukraine, the Polish soccer federation president said Saturday.
Feb 26, 2022 · Poland will not play their 2022 World Cup play-off with Russia in Moscow on March 24 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine the president of the Polish football federation said on Saturday.
Feb 25, 2022 · WARSAW, Poland - Poland is refusing to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Polish soccer federation president said Saturday.
