SOCCER: FIFA boss Infantino supports lifting ban on Russia

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for Russia’s four-year ban from international football to be lifted, saying the suspension has “achieved nothing.”

Russian clubs and the national team have been barred from FIFA and UEFA competitions since the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred,” Infantino told Sky Sports. “Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”

Infantino added that FIFA should “never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders.” He emphasized that keeping connections open is important, especially for young players.

Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matvii Bidnyi, strongly criticized Infantino’s remarks, calling them “irresponsible” and “infantile.” He said the comments “detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.”

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has maintained that the war in Ukraine must end before Russia can be reinstated, echoing his statements from the UEFA Congress last year.

Infantino also defended FIFA’s decision to award a peace prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw. “Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it,” he said. “Objectively, he deserves it.”

-Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates/Reuters