FIFA: Ukraine request postponement of 2022 World Cup qualifier against Scotland
CNN
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Footballโs world governing body has confirmed it received a request from the Ukrainian FA to postpone its 2022 World Cup qualifier against Scotland.
The tie is currently scheduled for March 24, but there are doubts as to whether it will go ahead amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement on Friday, FIFA said it โremains in regular contact with UEFA and the Scottish Football Association to find an appropriate solution.โ
It added: โFIFA expresses its deepest solidarity to everybody affected by what is happening in Ukraine. A further update will be provided in due course.โ
The winner of the tie will face either Wales or Austria for a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which is set to begin on November 21.
Many members of Ukraineโs national team play in the countryโs domestic top-flight which has been halted in light of the Russian invasion.
The Scottish FA released a statement of support for its opponents last week and said it would work with FIFA to find a solution.
โFootball is inconsequential amid conflict, but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days,โ it read.
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โThe Scotland Menโs and Womenโs National Teams stand in solidarity with our fellow participants from Ukraineโs football community.
โA match, no matter how significant on the pitch, feels unimportant right now, but we intend to express our friendship and unity when we face each other next month.
โIn the meantime we pray for your wellbeing and the safety of all those people needlessly suffering. Until we meet, we send our love.โ
Two young footballers have already been killed in Ukraine, according to a number of sporting organizations, since the invasion stated on February 24.
The football world has since rallied to support Ukraine, with gestures made before and during matches across Europe.
In a joint statement released on Monday, FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian international and club teams from their competitions โuntil further notice.โ