Charlotte FC striker Karol Swiderski was denied the opportunity to play for Poland in Friday’s Nations League defeat to Portugal due to a “human error” regarding the team sheet.
The 27-year-old was set to make an appearance as a substitute in the 72nd minute of the match in Porto after Poland head coach Michal Probierz wanted to introduce him, before being informed that he had not been registered to play in the match. A Polish journalist posted a picture of the teamsheet on social media and Swiderski had not been named among the substitutes.
Poland were already 2-0 down when Probierz went to bring Swiderski on following goals from Rafael Leao and Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal went on to win 5-1 thanks to a second Ronaldo goal, as well as strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto, before a late consolation came from Dominik Marczuk.
“Regarding the situation with Karol Swiderski, we would like to inform you that as a result of human error, he was not reported on the team sheet,” Emil Kopanski, a spokesperson for the Poland national team, said via the Reuters news agency.
“The player has already been apologised to in the dressing room, so the whole situation has been closed.”
Karol Świderski już miał wejść na boisko, ale nie był wpisany do protokołu meczowego. Został odesłany na trybuny 🤯
Nagranie 🎥 @MateuszMiga pic.twitter.com/ExtrYfLTrY
— TVP SPORT (@sport_tvppl) November 15, 2024
Swiderski scored for Charlotte against Orlando City in the MLS playoffs earlier this month before having his penalty saved in the shootout as his side were eliminated.
The striker has scored 27 goals in 74 appearances for Charlotte and has been capped 37 times by Poland, who complete their Nations League campaign at home to Scotland on Monday.
(Stuart Franklin – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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