By Paul Joseph
Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi has criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino as “irresponsible” and “childish” for suggesting that the organization may consider lifting the ban on Russia.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions in February 2022.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Infantino stated that “this ban has not achieved anything” and has only led to “more frustration and hatred.”
He further remarked, “Allowing boys and girls from Russia to participate in football matches in other parts of Europe would be beneficial.”
In reaction, Ukrainian sports minister Matvii Bidnyi expressed on social media, “Gianni Infantino’s remarks are irresponsible, to say the least.”
“They separate football from the harsh reality where children are losing their lives.”
He reminded that since the onset of Russia’s full-scale aggression, over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed, including more than a hundred football players.
Infantino received the Russian Order of Friendship medal from President Vladimir Putin after Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup.
Since the ban, Russia has been excluded from the 2022 World Cup and UEFA’s Euro 2024, and they will not participate in the 2026 World Cup.
However, Russia has still engaged in international football by playing matches against non-Western nations without needing FIFA or UEFA’s approval.
“War is a crime, not a political issue,” Bidnyi added. “It is Russia that politicizes sports and uses it to justify its aggression.
“I align with the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also opposes Russia’s return to international competitions.
“As long as Russians continue to kill Ukrainians and politicize sports, their flag and national symbols have no place among those who value justice, integrity, and fair play.”
Last year, Ukraine condemned the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to lift a ban on athletes from Russia and its close ally Belarus.
The Ukrainian National Paralympic Committee stated that the IPC allowed Russia and Belarus to “display their flags, stained with the blood of hundreds of thousands of people.”
Despite the IPC lifting its ban, Russian and Belarusian Para-athletes will not compete in next month’s Winter Paralympics.
While the IPC oversees the Games, four separate governing bodies manage the six sports taking place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Three of these governing bodies have chosen to maintain their bans on athletes from the two countries, and although Russia and Belarus are now permitted to compete in ice hockey, the decision came too late for them to participate in qualifying.
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