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Boris Johnson says Ukraine should be given automatic World Cup place – knocking out Wales and Scotland

25 Mar 2022 2 minute read
Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Chatham House (CC BY 2.0)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised in Scotland after suggesting that Ukraine should be given an automatic World Cup place – knocking out Wales and the Scottish in the process.

Having beaten Austria last night, Wales are now due to take on whoever wins the matchup between Ukraine and Scotland in June, which has been delayed from this month because of Russia’s invasion.

But seemingly unaware that Ukraine was vying for a last remaining European spot against Wales and Scotland, the Prime Minister claimed the country should be allowed to bypass the qualifiers.

Asked at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Boris Johnson said that it “sounds like a good idea to me” although he admitted it wasn’t his “strong subject”.

“I don’t see why not, is my view,” he said.

“Let me put it this way, given what Ukraine has been going through, given the privations that Ukrainian footballers have had to endure, I’m sure that every possible sympathy and allowances should be made for them.”

‘Tangible support’

It was Boris Johnson’s second football-related gaffe of the day after he called for Ukraine to host the Euro 2028 finals, apparently forgetting he has backed a joint bid by Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England to stage the tournament.

Asked whether the Euros should be awarded to Russia, Mr Johnson told Sky News: “The idea of Russia holding any kind of football tournament or any kind of cultural event right now is beyond satire. I can’t believe that anybody would seriously consider their suggestion.

“And, yes, I think that the best thing possible would be for the entire Russian armed forces to retire forthwith from Ukraine and hand the tournament to them, of course.”

His suggestion that Ukraine should be given n automatic bye into the World Cup did not go own well in Scotland, were it was criticised by Labour MSP Carol Mochan.

“We should be backing up Ukraine as and when they need it, but it’s hard to imagine this is their priority right now,” she said.

“The Prime Minister should focus on the priorities of the Ukrainian people and make sure they are getting the tangible support they need here and now, instead of cooking up these tokenistic distractions.”


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19 Comments
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Erisian
Erisian
2 years ago

Another day, another insult.
Ho hum
So it goes.

Cog
Cog
2 years ago

Yeah… no. Goes without saying that it wouldn’t even cross his mind if Lloegr’s qualification was in question. I’m sure it’d mean a lot to Ukrainians if they qualified, not quite a priority, mind. 60 years is a long time, Johnson the Appeaser had better not spoil this for us!

Grayham Jones
2 years ago

This why it’s time for a new wales kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s we don’t want these idiots in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Carol Loughlin
Carol Loughlin
2 years ago
Reply to  Grayham Jones

*Wales

Androw Bennett
Androw Bennett
2 years ago
Reply to  Carol Loughlin

It’s high time for our nation to be known only as CYMRU! The “W” name is Germanic in origin and implies “foreign”.

CJPh
CJPh
2 years ago

Russia’s (eventual) disqualification was right. But you don’t hand out medals to people during competitions because of their circumstances outside the medium. Every large sporting event would be played between nations embroiled in wars.

Dave
Dave
2 years ago

BoJo really is an incompetent clown #IndyWales #IndyRef2 the people nedd a break from these Tory idiots

Mark
Mark
2 years ago

Wow! What a blinder, back Ukraine getting a world Cup place results in offending Wales and Scotland while showing solidarity with Ukraine, at the same time leaves Wales and Scotland unable to complain without looking like bastards. Very clever move.

Marc
Marc
2 years ago

Boris Johnson is a prick

Androw Bennett
Androw Bennett
2 years ago
Reply to  Marc

That’s an insult to pricks! “Wallygarch” is a new moniker that suits him…

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

Its a deeply irresponsible to suggest this when you are the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who is desperate to save the union with muscular unionism.
I doubt very much that he would suggested this if it was at the expense of England’s World Cup place.

Androw Bennett
Androw Bennett
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Perhaps he’d like to suggest that English altruism will give up their place for Ukraine?

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
2 years ago

Now he’s upsetting even the unionists in Wales and Scotland who want their football teams to succeed. Why doesn’t he just go all the way and publish on the UK Government website how to get in touch with our respective independence campaigns? Great work, recruiting sergeant Bodge!

Androw Bennett
Androw Bennett
2 years ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

CYMRU! The “W” name is Germanic in origin and implies “foreign”. Please stop using it.

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago

Boris – a know all who knows nothing. Perhaps the English F.A will pipe up and offer their place just to save him any more embarrassment.

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago

I doubt even even knew where the Ukraine was before the Russian invasion, too busy with gold plated wallpapering and Number 10 parties. Clueless.

R W
R W
2 years ago

Well well, Bozo the Clown managing to p*ss off two home nations in one fell swoop!! Keep up the good work Bozo. Just the sort of thing that will win over more Unionists to the indy cause!!

Harry Williamson
Harry Williamson
2 years ago

The thickest PM in history, by a stretch

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
2 years ago

Just shows Boris Johnson is just the PM of England really and does not care about the other nations in the UK.

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