Scottish Football Association send message of support to World Cup play-off opponents Ukraine in wake of Russian invasion
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SCOTLAND is showing its solidarity to the plight of Ukraine from a sporting perspective.
The Scottish FA president, Rod Petrie, has written to his counterpart at the Ukrainian Association of Football to send a message of support, friendship and unity.
The countries are scheduled to meet in men's international football action three times this year, including a play-off semi-final for the 2022 World Cup at Hampden on March 24.
Scotland are also due to meet Ukraine in a women's World Cup qualifier.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has thrown some doubt on the matches being played, with all Ukrainian men aged 18-60 currently unable to leave their country.
The manager of top Ukraine league side Shakhtar Donetsk says his players, many of whom play for the national team, could be called up to fight in the conflict.
But a Scottish FA spokesperson said: "Football is inconsequential amid conflict, but we have conveyed the strong sense of solidarity communicated to us by Scotland fans and citizens in recent days.
"We remain in dialogue with UEFA and FIFA regarding our men’s FIFA World Cup Play-off and women’s World Cup qualifier and have offered to support our Ukrainian colleagues’ preparations as best we can in these unimaginably difficult circumstances.
"Should the current circumstances continue, we will not sanction the nomination of a team to participate in our scheduled UEFA Regions Cup fixture against Russia, due to be played in August.
"This will remain our position should any other fixtures arise at any level of international football."
Scotland are also in the same group as Ukraine for this year's men's UEFA Nations League internationals.
Ukraine are scheduled to visit Hampden on July 7 with a return fixture in September.
Due to the current conflict, both Russia and Ukraine won't be allowed to host Nations League qualifiers, meaning Scotland's second match against Ukraine may be played at a neutral venue.
