FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that world football's governing body should consider lifting its ban on Russia, particularly for youth categories. Infantino stated the current ban "has not achieved anything" and "has just created more frustration and hatred". He suggested allowing Russian boys and girls to play football in Europe could help.
Russia's national teams and clubs were suspended from all FIFA and UEFA competitions in February 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, described Infantino's comments as "irresponsible" and "infantile". Bidnyi added that the remarks "detach football from the reality in which children are being killed".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also criticised the FIFA president, calling him a "moral degenerate". Sybiha highlighted that "six-hundred seventy-nine Ukrainian girls and boys will never be able to play football — Russia killed them". The Ukrainian Association of Football has urged FIFA to maintain its current stance while the conflict continues.
