US EditionUkraine Minister Rips Gianni Infantino's Desire to Lift Russia Ban
Ukraine condemns FIFA president's call to end Russia's soccer ban, citing ongoing war and over 650 Ukrainian athletes killed, calling the remarks irresponsible and detached from conflict.
- This week, Ukraine's sports minister called Gianni Infantino's comments irresponsible and said the Russia ban has not achieved anything, only creating more frustration and hatred.
- Since 2022, FIFA and UEFA banned Russia from international competition after its invasion, but in 2023 allowed under-17 teams to compete under neutral names, colours, and without national symbols.
- Ukraine highlighted the human toll, saying more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since Russia's full-scale aggression, including more than one hundred footballers.
- The Ukrainian Association of Football warned against Russia's return to international competitions, with Bidnyi sharing that stance, while Infantino opposes bans for political leaders' acts.
- Ukrainian officials say Russia politicises sport and use it to justify aggression; Bidnyi called Infantino's remarks irresponsible and infantile, deepening diplomatic tensions.
22 Articles
22 Articles
'Infantile': Ukraine sports minister slams FIFA president's consideration of Russia rejoining
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s statements regarding the possibility of reviewing the suspension of Russia’s participation in international competitions have reignited a broad debate about the consistency of FIFA’s standards in dealing with armed conflicts. Both FIFA and UEFA suspended the participation of Russian national teams and clubs in February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the time, FIFA said the move was aimed at …
Ukrainian Minister of Sports Matviy Bidniy today called the president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino "irresponsible" and "infantile" for announcing that the organization will consider lifting the ban on Russia.
Russia's return to football must be examined, said Gianni Infantino – and has now received a response from Ukraine. The FIFA president's remarks were reminiscent of the Olympic Games in Nazi Germany.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that Russia's ban from international football should be lifted. Now Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyj is hitting back at the statement. - Gianni Infantino's words sound irresponsible, not to say childish, Bidnyj tells Sky News.
LVZ - Leipziger Volkszeitung
rnd.deAydan Özoğuz, the head of the sports committee of the Bundestag, strongly rejects a demand from Fifa President Gianni Infantino. The top-ranking football official had spoken out in favour of allowing Russian clubs to return to international competitions.
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