Ukraine’s sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino for suggesting a review of Russia’s suspension, calling his comments “irresponsible” and “infantile.”
FIFA and UEFA banned Russia’s national teams and clubs in February 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine. The sanctions are still in place after more than three years, and the war is still ongoing.
Infantino recently questioned the ban’s impact, claiming that it “has not achieved anything” and has “only increased frustration and hatred.”
He added that “having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help”.
Ukraine’s response to FIFA stance
Bidnyi reacted strongly in a post on social media, saying: “Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible, not to say infantile.
“They detach football from the reality in which children are being k!.lled.”
The minister underlined the human cost of the conflict, adding: “Let me remind you that since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been k!.lled by Russians. Among them were more than one hundred footballers.”
He also accused Russia of exploiting sport for political ends. “War is a crime, not politics,” Bidnyi said. “It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression.”
Ban remains across major tournaments
Since the suspension, Russia has been excluded from major competitions, including the 2022 World Cup, UEFA Euro 2024 and the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Russian teams have, however, continued to play unofficial international matches against non-Western nations without FIFA or UEFA approval.
Bidnyi said Ukraine remains opposed to any return. “As long as Russians continue k!.lling Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity and fair play,” he stated, aligning his position with that of the Ukrainian Association of Football.
Ukraine has also criticised other sporting bodies over similar decisions.
Last year, it condemned the International Paralympic Committee for lifting restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, despite those athletes ultimately missing the Winter Paralympics due to separate governing body bans.
Infantino, who received Russia’s Order of Friendship medal after the 2018 World Cup, has not responded to Bidnyi’s comments.