PZPN's night statement: "Decision made solely by the coach"

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) in a statement issued late Monday evening denied that the team council was the initiator of the change of the team captain. It was emphasized that the decision in this matter was made solely by coach Michał Probierz. Captain Robert Lewandowski was replaced by Piotr Zieliński. After this decision, Lewandowski announced that he had lost trust in the coach and would not play in the national team.

"In connection with the information appearing in the media that the Polish national team team council was the initiator of the change of the player serving as captain of the national team, the Polish Football Association strongly denies these reports . There was no meeting between coach Michał Probierz and the team council , and the decision was made solely by the trainer," the federation said late Monday evening.

On Sunday evening, the Polish Football Association announced via the Łączy nas Piłka website that, following the coach's decision, Zieliński would be the new captain of the national team, replacing Lewandowski .

Several dozen minutes later, the 36-year-old Barcelona striker, who had been wearing the armband for 11 years, announced that he had lost trust in Probierz and that as long as he remained the coach , he would not play for the national team.

The coach said at a press conference in Helsinki on Monday that he had made the decision to change the team's captain for the good of the team. "I believe it will help the team," he noted.

SEE: Lewandowski on the details of the conflict with Probierz. "He broke our agreements"

The Polish national team, who have a full set of points after two matches in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, will play Finland in Helsinki on Tuesday . Lewandowski announced at the end of May that he would not take part in the June training camp due to fatigue from the season.