"This story with FIFA has gone on for four years and I am very tired of this kind of connection with FIFA. It is the same negative attitude to Ukrainian football when Infantino gives statements saying we will invite Russia to rejoin world football. Can you imagine if a person has this kind of statement? Annex 7 is nothing in comparison with this."
"I suggest Infantino visits Ukraine to witness the destruction first hand rather than making this kind of irresponsible statement from a distance. Reintegrating Russia while Ukraine suffers from this war, it is a betrayal of the sport's 'one family' claim."
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino for suggesting the ban on Russian football should be lifted. Infantino claimed the suspension has created frustration and hatred rather than achieving results. Ukraine's sports minister called these comments irresponsible and infantile, noting over 100 footballers are among 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed. Palkin expressed frustration with FIFA's handling of Ukrainian football, including issues with Annex 7 regulations. He called on Infantino to visit Ukraine to witness destruction firsthand rather than making statements from a distance, arguing that reintegrating Russia while Ukraine suffers constitutes a betrayal of sport's unity principles.
#fifa-sanctions #russia-ukraine-conflict #ukrainian-football #sports-diplomacy #war-impact-on-sports
Read at ESPN.com
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