Any country at war with another country ...

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

..shouldn't be allowed to play in a tournament where they may be drawn to play each other.

[delmbox]

..shouldn't be allowed to play in a tournament where they may be drawn to play each other.

If this is in relation to Ukraine and Russia I don't think the Ukraine had much choice in being at war to be fair

[Taunton Blue Genie]

There are levels of conflict that do not necessarily constitute declared war.
Consider the Russian-influenced enclaves in Georgia and Moldova as well as occupied Crimea.
The Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict.
Israel and many of its neighbours.
However, the football authorities tend to avoid such meetings on the pitch (and Israel play in European competitions as a result).

[Bob Lazar]

Quite, but, if UEFA and/or FIFA rules that two nations must avoid each other on safety grounds, is it not then fair that each is removed from the relevant sporting competition so as not to disadvantage other nations?

[delmbox]

Quite, but, if UEFA and/or FIFA rules that two nations must avoid each other on safety grounds, is it not then fair that each is removed from the relevant sporting competition so as not to disadvantage other nations?

So say if England invaded and occupied us we wouldn't be allowed to play football either? No way!

[Bob Lazar]

As harsh as that might seem, the blame would fall with England as a nation. If we were the best team in the world and England were able to avoid us in a sporting competition because of a military situation that would disadvantage all other nations. While that might be unfair to us, it would surely be more unfair to all other participants?

[Bob Lazar]

I hear what you are saying and it's a tricky situation. Perhaps in your scenario England would be banished from the competition. But then a nation with a surprise result of a draw or win against them would lose points. Or see that incredible result wiped out by awarding of default wins over England to all other sides in the qualifying group. How do you adjudicate for a military conflict breaking out after qualifying has started? In this instance it perhaps disadvantages Russia that they may have to play a better team than Ukraine, and as the aggressor maybe that seems just. But what if Ukraine were the aggressor? Why should Russia then potentially play a higher ranked opponent? What a shame that politics involves itself in sport. Perhaps this game should just be played being closed doors. In Wales perhaps? After all we got sent to Kazan !!

[dembethewarrior]

If this is in relation to Ukraine and Russia I don't think the Ukraine had much choice in being at war to be fair

But in fairness its also not our fault, so not fair if we get a harder game as a result of it along the way in the play off process.

[JamesWales]

But in fairness its also not our fault, so not fair if we get a harder game as a result of it along the way in the play off process.

What's stopping Drakeford from declaring war on all the teams bar North Macedonia and Scotland until the draw is over and then doing a press conference and saying lol, i was only joking?

[Rjk]

What's stopping Drakeford from declaring war on all the teams bar North Macedonia and Scotland until the draw is over and then doing a press conference and saying lol, i was only joking?

so many things