Ukraine’s sports minister has branded Fifa president Gianni Infantino “infantile” and “irresponsible” for his desire to overturn Russia’s ban from world football.
Fifa’s ruling executive and European football’s governing body Uefa imposed a global ban on Russia at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when other European nations said they would refuse to play or host Russia’s matches.
Four years later, Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down and the war is still raging, but Infantino has signalled his intention to bring Russia back into the fold, saying the ban has been a failure.
“We have to [look at readmitting Russia]. Definitely,” Infantino told Sky Sports. “This ban has not achieved anything; it has just created more frustration and hatred.
“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
Infantino also insisted Fifa should “actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders” and claimed “somebody needs to keep the ties open”.
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This proclamation has been met with fury from Ukraine, as sports minister Matvii Bidnyi – who said over 100 footballers are among more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed by Russians – hit out at the Fifa president.
“Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible – not to say infantile,” Bidnyi said to Sky News. “They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.
“War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russias return to international competitions.
“As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity, and fair play.”
Potentially readmitting Russia is not the only geopolitical intervention for which Infantino has come under fire. He was heavily criticised for the decision to award US president Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize at December’s World Cup draw in Washington DC.
The move was further questioned after US forces seized the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro before Trump issued threats suggesting he may use military force to seize Greenland.
But Infantino was happy to stand by his decision, citing the role Trump played in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“Objectively, he deserves it,” insisted the Fifa boss. “He was instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives.”
