MY ACCOUNT
Graeme Souness believes FIFA should allow Ukraine to qualify automatically for this year’s World Cup in Qatar, to send a message to the Russian government.
Souness’ beloved Scotland hosted Ukraine on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifying play-off that was delayed from March following Russia’s invasion of the country.
The attack was universally condemned but the fighting has continued since, with millions of Ukrainians displaced and thousands left defending their homeland.
While the winner of Wednesday’s encounter in Glasgow will face Wales on Sunday to determine the final European team to reach Qatar, Souness passionately believes that regardless of the outcome, FIFA should ensure Ukraine feature in the tournament.
“It’s the strangest emotion I think I’ve ever had about a football match. I’m Scottish, was captain of the team, every single game we play in I want us to win desperately,” Souness said on Sky Sports before the match at Hampden Park.
“Every single game our rugby team plays in I want us to win desperately. I really have mixed emotions about tonight. What’s happening in Ukraine right now, it transcends football.
“It’s about life and death, we’re witnessing pictures I’ve never seen in my life before, it’s only four hours flying time from where we’re standing, not the other side of the world, that could visit us one day.
“So we have to stand up and support Ukraine, we have to get right behind them as much as we possibly can. Football has such a big part to play in so many people’s lives today.
“For me, what FIFA should do, FIFA should say it doesn’t matter what happens [in the play-offs], this team should be going to the World Cup.
“Make a group of five somewhere. Ukraine should be going to the World Cup. Simply keep the name of Ukraine at the forefront of everybody’s mind.”
Souness insists that allowing Ukraine to compete in Qatar will help prove to the leaders of Russia – who UEFA and FIFA both banned from their competitions – that they are truly alone in the world because of their invasion.
“We will get immune to the pictures we see, because it’s on a daily basis,” he continued. “Regularly, we’re seeing horror stories that I never thought I’d see in my lifetime.
“We have to make sure that the people in the Kremlin understand that the world does not accept what they’re doing, and football has a part to play because the profile football has.
“This team should be going to the World Cup to keep the name of Ukraine right at the front of everyone’s head so that the people in Russia realise that they’re standing alone and are in the wrong, they have to accept that.”
Whoever progresses from the play-off path has been drawn with England, Iran and the United States.
