The Czech Republic national team have joined Poland and Sweden in refusing to play Russia in upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The schedule calls for the Czechs to meet Sweden and Russia to face Poland on March 24. The winners of the two games will play on March 29 for a berth at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
"The Czech FA executive committee, staff members and players of the national team agreed it's not possible to play against the Russian national team in the current situation, not even on the neutral venue," says the Czech soccer federation.
"We all want the war to end as soon as possible."
With the first matches still one month off, FIFA president Gianni Infantino says there remains time for a decision.
"We are analysing the situation and we will take the decision when we have to take it," he says.
Swimming champs cancelled
Swimming's global governing body FINA has called off the world junior swimming championships, scheduled for Kazan, Russia, in late August, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
FINA made the decision to cancel the biannual event after consulting athletes and stakeholders.
"FINA will not be holding any future events in Russia, if this grave crisis continues," it says.
The Switzerland-based FINA added that it would provide whatever practical support it could to members of the aquatics family impacted by Russia's invasion, which began on Thursday and has met with swift condemnation from numerous sports governing bodies.
On Friday, FINA called off a men's water polo World League match at St Petersburg next month, while an artistic swimming and diving world series event scheduled for April at Kazan was also cancelled.
Russia's assault is the biggest on a European state since World War Two and threatens to upend the continent's post-Cold War order.
Reuters
