Ukraine lambasts ‘infantile and irresponsible’ Gianni Infantino for trying to overturn Russia ban
Fifa president slammed by Ukraine for ‘infantile’ suggestion Russia ban should be lifted
- Fifa President Gianni Infantino has indicated his desire to overturn Russia's ban from international football, which was imposed in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
- Infantino stated that the ban has been a failure, creating frustration, and argued that FIFA should not exclude countries based on the actions of their political leaders.
- Ukraine's sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, condemned Infantino's remarks as 'irresponsible' and 'infantile', highlighting that over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians.
- Bidnyi emphasised that war is a crime, not politics, and that Russia uses sport to justify its aggression, asserting that their flag has no place in international competitions.
- Infantino also recently faced criticism for awarding a 'Fifa peace prize' to US president Donald Trump, a decision he defended by citing Trump's role in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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