Poland’s national football team has fallen 12 places in the FIFA World Rankings and now reside at a lowly 41^st place.

The ranking is Poland’s worst since the year 2000 when they were ranked 43^rd and the second lowest in the last 12 years.

Poland are now one place below Costa Rica and one place above Ecuador. In the European ranking Poland are now in 25^th position, one place below Bosnia.

The slippage in ranking follows the defeat  - two goals to three - in the World Cup qualifying Group 3 match against Northern Ireland, which was notable for the poor performance of goalkeeper Artur Boruc and fan violence which before, during and after the game.

And though Poland responded with a 10-nil thrashing of San Marino last week, the principality’s team is so low in the rankings (202^nd) it didn’t improve Poland’s place. (pg)