Ukraine requests postponement of World cup qualifier
The Football Association of Ukraine has asked FIFA and UEFA to postpone their World Cup qualifier against Scotland on March 24, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
The winner of the match at Hampden Park in Glasgow will face Austria or Wales for a place in November’s World Cup final in Qatar.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to uncertainty about when the semi-final play-off in Glasgow will continue, with Oleksandr Petrakov’s majority roster in their home country.
The Ukrainian league was suspended after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country, a league in which most Ukrainians play their club football.
Scottish FA president Rod Petrie, meanwhile, wrote to his Ukrainian counterpart on Monday to “send a message of support, friendship and unity.” The women’s teams of the countries also meet on April 8.
“Football has no meaning in the midst of conflict, but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity that has been conveyed to us by fans and citizens of Scotland in recent days,” said Petrie.
“We are continuing to discuss our FIFA World Cup Play-off for men and World Cup qualification for women with UEFA and FIFA and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues in the best possible way in these unimaginably difficult circumstances.
“If current circumstances continue, we will not approve the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup match against Russia, to be played in August.
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The winner of the match at Hampden Park will face Austria or Wales for a place in November’s World Cup final in Qatar
“This will remain our position when there are other matches at any level in international football.”