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Taking zero heed of Russia's CAS appeal, FIFA gives Poland playoff bye

Poland have been handed a bye to this month's World Cup playoff finals by FIFA.  Last week saw w...



Poland have been handed a bye to this month's World Cup playoff finals by FIFA. 

Last week saw world football's governing body turf Russia out of World Cup contention following the country's unlawful invasion of Ukraine.

FIFA had originally suggested that Poland could play a Russian team shorn of its name, flag, anthem and home advantage later this month, but the Polish FA and their players flatly refused.

The decision to expel Russia has been met with an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with Russia calling for a stay on FIFA and UEFA's sanctions.

But with scant consideration for the update from CAS on Tuesday, FIFA announced that Poland will move through to the final of their playoff path, and will meet either the Czechs or Sweden for a place in April's group stage draw for Qatar 2022.

Their decision puts increased pressure on CAS to deliver a verdict regarding Russia, for it's extremely unlikely that they would be reinstated after the playoff final is played on March 29.

Furthermore, FIFA also confirmed that all games in Path A of the qualifiers have been suspended until June.

It follows a successful request from the Ukraine FA to have their semi-final with Scotland at Hampden this month called off following the invasion.

The other semi-final in Path A - Austria v Wales - will still be played on March 24 to minimise disruption to the calendar. The decision to postpone the Scotland-Ukraine game, and the Path A final means there will be a place yet to be decided when the draw for the World Cup finals is made on April 1.

CAS confirms Russian appeals against football expulsions

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Czech Republic FIFA Poland Russia Sweden Ukraine