Sweden outline FIFA demand as they follow Poland by announcing Russia refusal

The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) have joined their Polish counterparts in announcing they will refuse to play Russia in their upcoming World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Poland's football federation had earlier issued a statement explaining its stance, with a number of players following suit in speaking out.

The two national bodies - as well as Russia's other potential opponents, the Czech Republic - had called for the game or games to be moved to a different location, issuing a joint statement calling for "alternative solutions" to be found.

However, Sweden have now gone even further, announcing a refusal to play against Russia even if a new venue for the game is identified, while also urging FIFA to take action.

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"The Swedish Football Association's board has decided that the Swedish men's national team will not play a possible playoff match against Russia - regardless of where the match is played," a statement from the body ready.

"The Federal Board also urges FIFA to cancel the play-off matches in March in which Russia participates."

Karl-Erik Nilsson, chairman of the Swedish FA, is quoted as saying "The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible.

"We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be canceled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March," Nilsson said.

Poland and Russia are due to face off in the World Cup play-off semi-finals on March 24 at Moscow's VTB Arena, with the winner facing Sweden or Czech Republic three days later for a spot at the tournament in Qatar.

If Russia beat Poland, they will also host the qualifying game on March 27.

"Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against the republic of Russia," Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN).

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski said: "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," the Bayern Munich striker added.

The comments from SvFF come after Swedish minister for sport Anders Ygeman called on the European Union to take action in the light of the situation in Ukraine.

"As long as the Russian aggression continues, I want the EU to make a decision that we should not have any participation in Russian events and we should exclude Russian professional practitioners from participating in events in other countries," Ygeman told Swedish news agency TT.