In a joint statement made by FIFA and UEFA, Russia is banned from the World Cup match that will be held in Qatar in 2020. Several countries have also announced that they are unwilling to play against Russia, including Polish, who has completely refused any proposal, including the change of club name and the absence of the Russian national anthem.

"Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice," the statement FIFA released reads.

"These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters."

"Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

Cezary Kulesza, the President of Poland's football federation, was the first to announce their unwillingness to play against Russia for a match scheduled in March.

Before the invasion, the president had already shared their concerns with FIFA regarding their match. But after February 25, Kulesza made his decision clear not to participate in the match and managed to convince the neighboring countries, Czech and Sweden.

Before the complete ban, world federation officials had suggested that Russians play the play-off match with no national anthem played. Kulesza rejected the "outrageous" proposal.

Cezary Kulesza

"I am not interested in the game of appearances. There is a real tragedy taking place in Ukraine, people are dying, including sportspersons. And they expect us to pretend that Russia is not Russia because it plays under a different name?"

"It was an outrageous proposal and I did not hesitate for one second. In this difficult moment, we must do what is right. We Poles understand this, as do the Swedes and the Czechs."

The Polish Football Association has also been asking other countries to take the same stand as Poland. Kulesza shares what the responses are like.

Cezary Kulesza

"On Monday morning, I received phone calls from many countries expressing their support. No one has any doubt that the example set by Poland is a good one."

"Several federations, such as England, Albania, Denmark, Norway, and Wales, have already officially announced that they will not play against the Russians either. This is a very uplifting attitude."