Ukraine is gathering support from European governments to oppose FIFA’s moves to end Russia’s ban from international football.
Ukrainian sports minister Matvii Bidnyi told Sky News that allowing Russia back into World Cups would be legitimising Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
European football leaders are gathering for their annual congress in Brussels today, four years after booting out Russian teams at the start of the all-out war on Ukraine.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to attend the UEFA Congress, a week after telling Sky News: “This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.”
Responding to the football boss, Mr Bidnyi said: “It’s a very strange position… nothing changed. This condemnation of all of the world, of the sports community, is very important for international pressure on the aggressor.”
While stopping Russia playing at World Cups is a symbol of the country’s isolation and pariah status, it has not ended the conflict and killing.
“If we start to make our policy softer… what sign do you make for the world?” Mr Bidnyi said.
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“The ban, it’s an important part of international efforts to stop the aggressor… it’s a crime and you want to justify, you want to legitimise this crime.”
Mr Bidnyi wants a statement opposing football sanctions on Russia being lifted – as was secured last year from 28 European governments, including the UK, calling on the Paralympics to restore their ban.
‘Irresponsible and infantile’
“I think we are close to it,” he told Sky News. “And I would think it would (have) a big resonance.”
The Ukrainian government would welcome a first visit to the country by Mr Infantino since the war started.
“His actions look irresponsible and infantile,” Mr Bidnyi said, citing children being killed playing football or seriously injured after Russian strikes.
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The ban was imposed because European rivals were refusing to play Russian teams or host their matches on neutral integrity – as FIFA and UEFA came under pressure from politicians to apply sporting sanctions.
Within FIFA there is discussion about why they should have to cut ties with Russia when governments advocating for the ban on teams still allow trading with the country with non-sanctioned products.
“It’s wrong, but we can see now it’s become less and less,” Mr Bidnyi said.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy last week criticised the International Olympic Committee and FIFA for moving towards restoring Russian teams, arguing “if anything the situation in Ukraine has got worse” since the original bans were imposed.
