Poland has refused to play a World Cup play-off match against Russia next month because of the Ukraine invasion, according to the Polish FA.

The association’s president, Cezary Kulesza, said on Twitter: “In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic.”

Kulesza said the Polish FA was in talks with its Swedish and Czech counterparts regarding play-off games set for March to fill a slot for the World Cup.

He said: “No more words, it’s time to act.”

It’s the latest sporting sanction imposed on Russia in the wake of the attack.

The Champions League final has been moved from St Petersburg to Paris by UEFA, which is also under pressure to end sponsorship from Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Manchester United have dropped Russian state airline Aeroflot as a sponsor.

Formula One has cancelled the Russian Grand Prix and the Haas F1 team’s cars were stripped of the logo of Russian sponsor Uralkali in pre-season testing on Friday.

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