English journo wants Wales and Scotland to step aside

and allow Ukraine a free run at the World Cup.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foo ... s-23500796

Thoughts?!?

I say no. Wales have worked hard for this and although the sentiment has merit - it'd all be for nowt if Ukraine got knocked out early doors or there was some wave riding whereby each team they played went easy or allowed them a free run all the way to the World Cup final.

I would think the Ukrainian players themselves would be honoured by the gesture but feel it a little hollow to be gifted the place rather than play the game that they love.

If he feels that strongly about it why doesn't he suggest his own national team withdraw and give Ukraine their place - oh sorry I forgot; England have already pencilled themselves in as the winners!!

It's a statement that doesn't make sense.

Why Wales and Scotland? Why not any of the other potential play off winners or even a team that has already qualified.

Has this come about because Boris suggested Ukraine get a bye?

If anything the Ukraine team could step down and concentrate on securing their countries future instead. We could be in a situation where they cannot play in June either or in the World Cup if this is protracted.

They could be given a bye into a future tournament when all this is over.

I can see the Play Off final being between us and Scotland with Ukraine unable to fulfil the fixture.

If he feels that strongly about it why doesn't he suggest his own national team withdraw and give Ukraine their place - oh sorry I forgot; England have already pencilled themselves in as the winners!!

Exactly !!

What an absolute annoying statement to make

It's just nonsense don't take any notice, you qualify or you don't there are no special rules for any teams, if Wales were at War Russia the same would apply!!!


As people say, the same could apply to Brazil or England, they could step aside!

I say give them arms,backing and as much aid as possible but on the football pitch smash em

It's very sad what is happening to the Ukrainian people, but this is a ludicrous statement.

Why don't every other country withdraw from the World Cup then so that they can be World Champions?

As said by the OP, the Ukrainian players will want to earn their place in the finals and not have it handed to them - particularly at another country's expense, whether that's us or both us and Scotland.

It's very sad what is happening to the Ukrainian people, but this is a ludicrous statement.

Why don't every other country withdraw from the World Cup then so that they can be World Champions?

As said by the OP, the Ukrainian players will want to earn their place in the finals and not have it handed to them - particularly at another country's expense, whether that's us or both us and Scotland.

Totally agree, Ned; only an 'Englander' could think anyone bar the current holders and hosts should have a 'right of passage' to a World Cup

We all (I hope) have sympathy and empathy for the Ukrainian people and nation but I feel sure they wouldn't want that and it might be argued that they have more important things to concern themselves with right now?

Having said that, maybe England could simply hand over their already 'in the bank' World Cup trophy and save everyone a trip to the corrupt state of Qatar in the first place?

Sounds like a plan to me...!

It's very sad what is happening to the Ukrainian people, but this is a ludicrous statement.

Why don't every other country withdraw from the World Cup then so that they can be World Champions?

As said by the OP, the Ukrainian players will want to earn their place in the finals and not have it handed to them - particularly at another country's expense, whether that's us or both us and Scotland.

Totally agree, Ned; only an 'Englander' could think anyone bar the current holders and hosts should have a 'right of passage' to a World Cup

We all (I hope) have sympathy and empathy for the Ukrainian people and nation but I feel sure they wouldn't want that and it might be argued that they have more important things to concern themselves with right now?

Having said that, maybe England could simply hand over their already 'in the bank' World Cup trophy and save everyone a trip to the corrupt state of Qatar in the first place?

Sounds like a plan to me...!

For the record, the journo is not 'the' (Scottish) Jim White but a lesser quality English version...

There really are some idiots about ad its scary to think they get jobs in such positions.

I don't think the ardent anti Welsh/Scottish person would want this. Even more so neither would Ukraine. The people of Ukraine would want their team to qualify the proper way against teams that want to beat them. After holding the mighty Russia on their own patch I would say they would be looking forward to going against us and the Scots. Good luck to them but I will retract this bit if they reach the play off final.

England didn't seem to care about Ukraine in the 2020 Euros.

The Ukrainians were already in conflict with Russia over the Crimea.

However England were chuffing at 4-0 in the Quarter Finals.

Perhaps they could've/should've handed the Ukraine their Semi-Final place...

And then what? Allow them to win all their group and knockout games in Qatar so they win the World Cup.

It's a preposterous idea and the journalist has only done it for a reaction.

How about f**k off and get on with the game as it is

If there was any integrity in sport no national team would go to a socially medieval country like Quatar.

I would imagine the last thing Ukraine footballers wants is a free ride. They are victims of geography and history the last thing they want are patronising gestures. Their endeavours on the battlefield are simply remarkable. Arm them to the teeth and allow them to play football without the histrionics.