US EditionUkraine sports minister slams FIFA president’s consideration of Russia rejoining
Ukraine's sports minister calls FIFA president's proposal to lift Russia's ban irresponsible amid ongoing war and over 650 Ukrainian athletes killed, highlighting sport's politicization.
- 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.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Infantino's proposal to lift the sanctions imposed on Russia meets with fierce criticism. Ukraine strongly condemns the advance.
"I fully support the FIFA president's statements that Russia should be brought back," says Dame N'Doye.
FIFA president added to Ukraine’s state-linked ‘kill list’
FIFA president added to Ukraine’s state-linked ‘kill list’ –Gianni Infantino added after criticizing a ban on Russian football players | 3 Feb 2026 | FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been added to the “kill list” maintained by Ukraine’s state-backed Mirotvorets website, which publishes the personal data of individuals it labels as enemies of the state. The website accuses Infantino of “humanitarian aggression against Ukraine” and “systemic su…
Kremlin welcomes FIFA boss Infantino’s comment on lifting Russia ban
The Kremlin on Tuesday welcomed FIFA president Gianni Infantino's comments on ending a ban on Moscow from international competitions over its invasion of Ukraine, while Kyiv denounced his words as "irresponsible" during the war. Infantino - who previously had friendly relations with Russia's Vladimir Putin - said in an interview a day earlier the ban on Russia had "not achieved anything." His words provoked fury in Ukraine, which said the ban sh…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has faced strong criticism from Ukrainian officials and football leaders after he expressed his desire to lift Russia's ban from international competitions. In an interview on Monday, Infantino said FIFA "should never stop any country from playing football because of the actions of their political leaders" and that the current suspension "has achieved nothing, it has only created more frustration and hatred." He a…
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