Ukraine’s sports minister criticises Fifa president over Russia’s football ban
Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi has launched a scathing attack on Fifa president Gianni Infantino, branding his suggestion to reconsider Russia’s football ban as “irresponsible – not to say infantile,” reports BritPanorama.
The condemnation follows Infantino’s claim that the suspension, imposed by Fifa and Uefa after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, should “definitely” be lifted, “at least at youth level.” The Fifa chief stated that the prohibition had “not achieved anything” and had merely generated “more frustration and hatred.”
Bidnyi responded on Tuesday, asserting, “Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible – not to say infantile. They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.”
This statement directly challenged Infantino’s assertion that allowing Russian youngsters to participate in European matches would prove beneficial. Bidnyi emphasised the human cost of Russia’s aggression on Ukrainian sport, revealing that over 650 athletes and coaches have perished since the invasion. Among the deceased, he noted, are more than 100 footballers.
He cited the tragic case of Illia Perezhogin, a tenth-grade pupil from Mariupol who lost his life when a Russian missile struck while he was playing football at his school stadium. Another casualty was Viktoriia Kotliarova, a former futsal player who died alongside her mother during the bombardment of Kyiv.
Bidnyi stated, “War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression.” Infantino, however, maintained that permitting Russian boys and girls to compete in football matches across Europe “would help” the situation.
Infantino received the Order of Friendship medal from President Vladimir Putin after Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup. Since the ban took effect, Russian teams have been excluded from the 2022 World Cup, Euro 2024, and will not feature at the 2026 World Cup. Despite this, Russian teams have continued to play international fixtures against non-Western nations without requiring approval from Fifa or Uefa.
Bidnyi aligned himself with the Ukrainian Association of Football’s position, which warns against Russia’s readmission to international competitions. He stated, “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.”
The Fifa Council announced in December plans for a new under-15 festival, with a boys’ competition scheduled for this year and a girls’ event in 2027, following an Olympic Summit recommendation to allow Russian teams to compete under their national flag at youth level. Fifa confirmed that the events would be open to all 211 member associations.
Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov indicated optimism regarding the situation, expecting international football regulators to make decisions allowing Russian teams back into competitions. However, senior European football figures remain cautious, fearing that other teams would refuse to face Russia until a lasting political resolution is achieved.
This ongoing discourse highlights the complexities intertwined with sport and geopolitics, casting long shadows on the footballing landscape.
