FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Russia should return to international football competitions, arguing that the suspension has brought no results. Ukrainian sports and government institutions responded to his remarks.
Infantino made the statement in an interview with Sky News, which prompted reactions from the Ukrainian Association of Football and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Infantino Urges the Removal of Russia’s Suspension
The FIFA president said the ban on Russian teams in international tournaments “achieved nothing” and allegedly only increased frustration and hostility:
“The ban achieved nothing. It only created more frustration and hostility. If girls and boys from Russia could play football in other parts of Europe, it would help,” the FIFA chief said.
He suggested allowing Russia to return, at least at the youth level. He also called on FIFA to enshrine in its statutes a rule against suspending countries over the actions of their political leaders.
Ukraine’s Reaction to Infantino’s Statement
The Ukrainian Association of Football stressed that the war against Ukraine continues. Civilian infrastructure remains under constant attack, and millions of people lack basic living conditions.
The association considers the suspension of Russian teams an effective pressure tool against the aggressor state. It warned that Russia’s return would create security risks for competitions.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that 679 Ukrainian girls and boys will never be able to play football because Russia killed them:
“And it continues killing more while moral degenerates propose lifting bans despite Russia’s failure to stop the war. Future generations will view this as a disgrace reminiscent of the 1936 Olympics,” Sybiha wrote.
Context
Russian clubs and national teams have remained suspended from international football since February 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They did not participate in the 2022 World Cup or the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
UEFA has also maintained sanctions against Russia. The organization previously stated that a return would only become possible after the war ends.
In 2023, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach opposed banning Russians and Belarusians from the 2024 Olympic Games, arguing that it “does not align with the values and mission of the Olympic Charter.”
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review wrote about how Russia uses sports as a tool of propaganda. In particular, Russian athletes openly support the war against Ukraine by participating in propaganda events, delivering speeches that justify Russia’s armed aggression, and receiving military ranks.
