Ukraine condemn Infantino Russia ban comments

Ukraine’s government and football authorities have criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino after he said world football should consider lifting Russia’s suspension from international competition, a ban imposed in 2022 after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s national teams and clubs were suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions “until further notice” in a joint decision by the two bodies in February 2022. In an interview with Sky News, Infantino was asked whether FIFA should revisit that stance.He replied: “We have to. Definitely. Because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.” Infantino argued that re-opening pathways for young players could be a first step, saying: “Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.” Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi responded in a statement, saying: “Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible – not to say infantile. They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.” Bidnyi said more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since the invasion, including more than 100 footballers. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha also hit out at the proposal, posting: “679 Ukrainian girls and boys will never be able to play football – Russia killed them. And it keeps killing more while moral degenerates suggest lifting bans, despite Russia’s failure to end its war. Future generations will view this as a shame reminiscent of the 1936 Olympics.” The Ukrainian Association of Football has separately urged FIFA and its president not to change the position on Russia’s exclusion while the war continues, warning any move towards reintegration would undermine safety and the integrity of competitions. Infantino’s comments have landed amid wider debate about how football bodies deal with conflicts and sanctions. He has repeatedly argued against the principle of bans based on political decisions, and has suggested FIFA should look at changing its rules to avoid excluding countries because of the actions of their leaders.UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously stated Russia’s return is tied to the end of the war, and Reuters reported he reiterated that position again after Infantino’s remarks. The issue also sits alongside FIFA’s ongoing regulatory measures connected to the conflict. FIFA extended the temporary provisions in Annexe 7 of its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players until 30 June 2026, maintaining special rules affecting contracts for players and coaches linked to Ukrainian and Russian clubs.Infantino’s intervention this week followed his public comments on the subject over the weekend in London, where he attended FIFA’s Women’s Champions Cup final. There has been no indication of an imminent change to the suspension, which remains in force across FIFA and UEFA competitions under the 2022 joint decision.