FIFA president calls for russian teams to be allowed back into football tournaments

He said this in an interview with Sky News.

According to Infantino, the decision to ban russians from competitions “did nothing” and “only generated more disappointment and hatred.” Therefore, the International Football Federation is obliged to consider lifting this ban.

“The opportunity for girls and boys from russia to play football in other parts of Europe would be beneficial,” said the FIFA president.

He also stated that, in general, he is not opposed to changing the rules so that no country is banned from playing football “because of the actions of its political leaders.”

In response, the Ukrainian Football Association called on FIFA not to change its position on suspending russians from football competitions while the war against Ukraine continues.

The UAF believes that banning russians from playing in international tournaments is “an effective method of putting pressure on the aggressor,” and that the potential return of any russian national teams “jeopardizes the safety and integrity of the competition.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also responded to the FIFA president's statement:

"679 Ukrainian girls and boys will never be able to play football — russia killed them. And it continues to kill others, while moral degenerates propose lifting the ban, even though russia has not stopped the war. Future generations will consider this a disgrace, reminiscent of the 1936 Olympics," he wrote on X.

In 2022, UEFA and FIFA decided to suspend all russian teams from participating in international competitions due to russia's invasion of Ukraine. russia's bid to host the European Football Championships in 2028 and 2032 was deemed unacceptable.

Source: Babel