Gianni Infantino rallies for Russia's return to international football
Gianni Infantino rallies for Russia's return to international football
- Gianni Infantino has expressed a desire to lift the ban on Russian teams from international competitions.
- Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi, condemned his comments as irresponsible due to ongoing violence in Ukraine.
- The conflict continues to impact international sports relations, as Ukraine demands the ban on Russia remain until the war ends.
Story
Ukraine has condemned FIFA President Gianni Infantino's recent pronouncement favoring the reinstatement of Russia in worldwide football competitions. The global ban on Russian teams was established by FIFA and UEFA at the onset of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, in response to the aggressive military actions that have led to significant loss of life, including that of Ukrainian athletes. Infantino's statements suggest that the ban has been ineffective, creating more frustration rather than fostering peace. This has prompted strong reactions from Ukrainian officials, who point to the human cost of the war, including over 650 Ukrainian athletes killed since the conflict began. Ukrainian Minister of Sports Matvii Bidnyi referred to Infantino's comments as
