English Football Association (FA) announced today that they are withdrawing from the UEFA Futsal Euro 2022 Qualifying stage and their match-up against North Macedonia!
The reason behind this decision is FA's risk assessment in regard to Covid-19 crisis.
"We are very disappointed for the players and the staff who were looking forward to the tournament, however the decision not to participate has been made after careful consideration and is solely based on the safety and wellbeing of all those involved." said FA, and you can read their full statement here.
We have regrettably decided to withdraw @England from next week's #FutsalEURO qualifying play-offs in North Macedonia:
— The FA (@FA) October 30, 2020
This comes as a bitter shock, as earlier the FA decided to cut funding to its futsal program and disband all national futsal teams. The Men's National Futsal Team was supposed to cease all its activity once it got knocked out of the tournament.
However, FA decided not to wait for the result of the match, but instead ceased it existence immediately with today's decision.
Players and futsal enthusiasts in England are understandably shocked and further appalled by this decision.
England Men's National Futsal Team issued a statement in which they said they "cannot trust FA's reasoning that this is for our welfare since they have treated us with contempt and a complete disregard for our well-being since their initial announcement on funding cuts for futsal".
You can read the statement in full on Twitter, on link in continuation.
💔is the only thing I can say I feel right now. We all knew this was coming but now it’s official I’ve lot a massive part of my identity not sure where this leaves me mentally I think it’s a time out from social media for me. All I can say is thank you everyone who supported us❤️ pic.twitter.com/edlbKlkHCA
— Liam Palfreeman (@liampalfreeman) October 30, 2020
Also, Save Futsal initiative clearly stated that England players and coaching staff had all agreed to travel and were happy to play regardless, but that it was the FA that did not secure minimum requirements for this match to happen.
The TRUTH:
— Save Futsal (@SaveFutsal) October 30, 2020
England Players & Coaching Staff had ALL agreed to travel and were happy to play.@FA hadn't secured a doctor@FA hadn't secured a physio@FA hadn't booked flights@FA hadn't booked hotel
Withdrawing has been the long term plan by @FA all along.
A total disgrace! https://t.co/n0L2PPv6OZ
Every single other country is going ahead with their #FutsalEURO qualifiers... 🤔UEFA have all the necessary measures in place to ensure player and staff safety. @FA once again using COVID as a poorly-disguised excuse. Pretending this is for our own welfare is beyond hypocrisy. https://t.co/G1wLrnenE0
— Jonny Sim (@JonnySim1) October 30, 2020
This news comes at the time when this issue finally started to gain serious momentum. Unfortunately, this is a huge blow for English futsal. FA is currently the only national football federation that withdrew from the qualification tournament.
More on the topic of issues in English futsal:
>>> English futsal issue gains momentum with new reactions!
>>> Raising Awareness to Problems of English Futsal
>>> Dismal Situation of English Futsal Continues
>>> Doug Reed: Futsal is a fantastic game - it will grow with or without the FA's involvement
>>> Unsecure Future of Futsal in England