FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s call to lift Russia’s football ban is welcomed by Moscow but denounced as “irresponsible” by Kyiv amid the ongoing war.
KREMLIN has welcomed FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s call to lift the international football ban on Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was “high time” to restore the rights of Russian footballers and the national team.
His comments came a day after Infantino told Sky News the ban had “not achieved anything” and had “just created more frustration and hatred”.
The FIFA president argued that allowing Russian youth to play in Europe would be beneficial.
Ukraine reacted with fury, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stating that 679 Ukrainian children “will never be able to play football” because Russia killed them.
Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi called Infantino’s comments “irresponsible” and “infantile,” noting over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed.
Russia has been largely banned from international sport since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Infantino, who has had friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said he believes discussions on lifting the ban should happen.
Ukraine insists the ban must remain “as long as Russians continue to kill Ukrainians”.
A small number of Russian athletes in other sports have recently been allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
