FIFA President's Russia Ban Comments Draw Ukrainian Criticism

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has commented on the potential lifting of the ban on Russia, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine's sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi. The suspension of Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions by FIFA and UEFA was initially enacted in February 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Infantino stated that the existing ban "has not achieved anything" and "has just created more frustration and hatred." He also suggested that allowing Russian children to participate in football matches in other European regions "would help."

"The existing ban 'has not achieved anything' and 'has just created more frustration and hatred'."

In response, Bidnyi took to social media, characterizing Infantino's statements as "irresponsible" and "infantile." The Ukrainian minister further added that these comments "detach football from the reality in which children are being killed."

"These statements 'detach football from the reality in which children are being killed'."

Bidnyi also highlighted the severe human cost of the conflict, noting that "since the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians, including over one hundred footballers."