北京時(shí)間2022年3月9日,蘇格蘭足總官方發(fā)表了對(duì)國(guó)際足聯(lián)推遲蘇格蘭與烏克蘭世預(yù)賽決定的擁護(hù)。蘇格蘭足總在官網(wǎng)申明中表示:“蘇格蘭足總注意到國(guó)際足聯(lián)決定將原定于3月24日舉行的蘇格蘭對(duì)陣烏克蘭的世預(yù)賽推遲至6月舉行,鑒于烏克蘭目前的局勢(shì),我們支持推遲比賽的請(qǐng)求的決定,并重申我們希望與烏克蘭足協(xié)團(tuán)結(jié)一致的心愿。我們現(xiàn)在正在等待歐足聯(lián)確認(rèn)修改后的賽程表,包括其他被更改的一些歐洲足球聯(lián)賽賽程,屆時(shí)我們將進(jìn)一步發(fā)表評(píng)論。”
蘇格蘭足總主席伊恩-麥克斯韋(Ian Maxwell)表示:“鑒于烏克蘭局勢(shì)的持續(xù)緊張,國(guó)際足聯(lián)按照烏克蘭足球協(xié)會(huì)的要求推遲了我們兩隊(duì)的比賽,這是正確的決定在戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)時(shí)期,足球重要性大大降低,我們的心與烏克蘭平民同在。”
蘇格蘭足總聲明原文如下:
Statement: Scotland v Ukraine postponement
The Scottish FA notes the decision of the FIFA Organising Committee to postpone the FIFA World Cup Play-Off semi-final against Ukraine, originally scheduled to take place on 24 March, until June.
Given the current situation in Ukraine we support the decision to uphold the request to postpone the match and reiterate our message of solidarity to our friends and colleagues within the Ukrainian Association of Football.
We now await confirmation from UEFA on the amended fixture schedule, including any displaced UEFA Nations League fixtures, and will comment further at that time.
In the meantime, we are in discussions to organise a replacement fixture on 24 March and will update supporters – especially those who have purchased tickets for the play-off semi-final and Nations League package – as soon as we have more information.
Tickets purchased for the original March 24 fixture date against Ukraine at Hampden Park will remain valid for the rescheduled June date, which has yet to be confirmed by UEFA.
We can also confirm that, with the play-off semi-final between Wales v Austria going ahead in March, a friendly match away from home to the losing side will take place on 29 March.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is the correct decision by FIFA to postpone our play-off, as requested by the Ukrainian Association of Football.
“The importance and significance of football is greatly diminished in a time of war and our thoughts are with those Ukrainian civilians affected by the conflict.”