Support for Ukraine humanitarian effort from Scotland with international football friendly against Poland raising money for UNICEF, backed by international captains Andy Robertson and Robert Lewandowski

SCOTLAND'S international football team were due to play Ukraine in a vital World Cup play-off on March 24, but will now play in support of their scheduled opponents.

The Ukraine match has been postponed due to the Russian invasion, and instead the Scots will take on Poland in a friendly at Hampden which will raise money towards the humanitarian response in Ukraine.

Team captains Andy Robertson and Robert Lewandowski have thrown their support behind the fundraising friendly, with a £10 donation from each ticket sold supporting UNICEF’s efforts in Ukraine.

Both footballing superstars are also UNICEF ambassadors and are encouraging fans to come together to fill Hampden and raise crucial funds to support the charity's emergency appeal.

The UNICEF appeal raises essential funds to support families and their children within Ukraine, and those that have been displaced to neighbouring countries, but ensuring child health and protection services are sustained and families have clean water and nutritious food.

The match was arranged following FIFA’s decision to postpone Scotland's play-off semi-final against Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, and the cancellation of Poland’s scheduled tie with Russia.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke will name his squad today following extensive talks between the Scottish FA and Polish FA to give the hastily arranged friendly a wider purpose.

Tickets will go on sale at 1pm today – exclusively to Scotland Supporters Club members – before going on general sale at 1pm on Thursday, March 17.

For every ticket sold, £10 will be donated to UNICEF UK’s emergency appeal for Ukraine, and supporters will have the opportunity to make an additional donation if they wish during the ticket purchase process, with a special donate button on the web page directing to UNICEF UK’s appeal.

A sold-out Hampden would mobilise a significant six-figure contribution for UNICEF UK’s appeal for Ukraine. Organisers will announce additional ways in which supporters can get behind the fundraising in the build-up to the match.

Liverpool and Scotland star Robertson said: “As a father, the images of children in Ukraine has been heart-breaking to watch.

"I am a proud ambassador for UNICEF and when we were informed that the match against Ukraine would be postponed then working in partnership with Robert and the Polish squad to do our bit to help the situation was a no-brainer.

“We send our love and prayers to our fellow participants across Ukraine’s football community and hope that the money raised by this match will help the tremendous efforts already made by UNICEF in Ukraine and in helping the refugee situation.”

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell added: “It goes without saying that our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. All football-related matters pale into insignificance next to what the people of that country are experiencing.

“Along with the counterparts at the Polish FA, we hope to use this friendly international as our chance to show solidarity with a country and its people, while raising as much money to help them as we can in the process.”

Steve Clarke said: “We’ve seen wonderful examples of individuals and groups within Scottish football rally with their own contributions towards the situation in recent weeks. With the support of UNICEF, this match is a way for all Scottish football fans to unite in solidarity and support our friends in Ukraine.

“As many have already said, football is unimportant when you see the situation in Ukraine. I know that the Scotland supporters and the players will rally to show that the power of football can have a positive impact even during such desperate situations as the one faced in Ukraine at present.”

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at The UK Committee for UNICEF: “The escalating conflict in Ukraine continues to pose an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children. The situation is deteriorating, with more families every day forced to leave their homes in search of safety. That is why we are intensifying our action on the ground.

“Being involved in this fundraising friendly allows us to continue our aid for those that need it most. In practical terms this means providing children and their families with access to clean water and nutritious food and making sure that child health and protection services are sustained”

Scotland Supporters Club members can purchase tickets from £5 for juniors and £20 for adult members from 1pm today.

Sales will then be opened up to the general public on Thursday, March 17, with junior prices for individual matches from £5 and adult prices from £25.