Ukraine’s sports minister has called FIFA president Gianni Infantino “irresponsible” and “infantile” after he suggested FIFA could consider lifting the ban on Russia.
Russian teams and clubs were suspended from all competitions by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Infantino said the ban “has not achieved anything” and argued that allowing Russian children to play football abroad could help.
In response, Ukraine’s Matvii Bidnyi condemned the remarks, pointing out that over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, including more than 100 footballers, have been killed during the conflict. “Gianni Infantino’s words detach football from the reality in which children are being killed,” he said.
Since the ban, Russia has missed the 2022 World Cup, UEFA Euro 2024, and will not participate in the 2026 World Cup. While Russia has played matches against non-Western nations outside FIFA or UEFA competitions, Bidnyi said the country continues to politicize sport to justify aggression.
Ukraine’s officials also criticised last year’s decision by the International Paralympic Committee to lift a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, saying it allowed countries “drenched in blood” to display their flags. Although Russian and Belarusian athletes are now permitted in some events at the upcoming Winter Paralympics, most sports’ governing bodies have maintained bans, preventing their participation.
