北京时间2022年3月9日,苏格兰足总官方发表了对国际足联推迟苏格兰与乌克兰世预赛决定的拥护。苏格兰足总在官网申明中表示:“苏格兰足总注意到国际足联决定将原定于3月24日举行的苏格兰对阵乌克兰的世预赛推迟至6月举行,鉴于乌克兰目前的局势,我们支持推迟比赛的请求的决定,并重申我们希望与乌克兰足协团结一致的心愿。我们现在正在等待欧足联确认修改后的赛程表,包括其他被更改的一些欧洲足球联赛赛程,届时我们将进一步发表评论。”
苏格兰足总主席伊恩-麦克斯韦(Ian Maxwell)表示:“鉴于乌克兰局势的持续紧张,国际足联按照乌克兰足球协会的要求推迟了我们两队的比赛,这是正确的决定在战争时期,足球重要性大大降低,我们的心与乌克兰平民同在。”
苏格兰足总声明原文如下:
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.”