FIFA were branded “totally acceptable” after being accused of not being tough enough on Russia.
World football’s governing body issued a statement insisting Russia would have to play all games on neutral venues, they would not be allowed to play their national anthem or show flags and would have to play as the Football Union of Russia.
However, that was not enough for Poland or the English FA who insisted they would refuse to play Russia at any age group, level and said they took the decision “out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership.”
England would refuse to play Russia in the World Cup or the women’s Euros which are being hosted in England this summer and Russia have qualified.
But the Polish FA went even further as they slammed FIFA’s lack of action and insisted Russia should be kicked out of the World Cup ahead of next month’s play-offs.
Poland FA president Cezary Kulesza said: “Today’s FIFA decision is totally unacceptable. We are not interested in participating in this game of appearances.
“Our stance remains intact: Polish National Team will NOT PLAY with Russia, no matter what the name of the team is.”
A Polish FA statement added: “In the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was condemned almost all over the world, this is the only decision we can make.
"A performance in a match against the Russian national team would be a shameful act not just for our players but for the entire football community, contrary to solidarity with the Ukrainian nation.
“As football association, we refuse to participate in play-off matches in which the Russian national team appears.
"At the same time, we call on the FIFA authorities to react immediately to the brutal violence that we observe daily on the territory of independent Ukraine.
“If FIFA's Human Rights Policy is more than just words on a paper now is the time to put it into practice by excluding the Russian Football Association from the qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022."
FIFA are now under increasing pressure to take action after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic as well as England insisted they will not play Russia following their invasion of Ukraine.
Mirror Sport understands that FIFA are looking at further sanctions and this is just the start but they also believe it will leave Russia out in the cold because it would be impossible to imagine any country would be willing to host them.
FIFA met on Sunday and decided:
RUSSIA cannot play any FIFA matches in Russia
RUSSIA cannot call itself Russia and will be called 'Football Union of Russia'
NO FLAG or anthem of Russia will be used in matches where teams from the Football Union of Russia participate
NEXT step is to ban Russia from competitions "should the situation not be improving rapidly"
A statement read: "FIFA will continue its ongoing dialogue with the IOC, UEFA and other sport organisations to determine any additional measures or sanctions, including a potential exclusion from competitions, that shall be applied in the near future should the situation not be improving rapidly.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also said it would be “inconceivable” to carry on with football matches and other sporting events after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Johnson said: “It’s sad. It is inconceivable to me to imagine that normal sporting relations with Putin’s Russia can continue.”
