The Ukrainian football club “Shakhtar” from Donetsk has sharply criticized the initiative of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who suggested considering the return of Russian clubs and national teams to participate in international football tournaments.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Response from Shakhtar’s Management
The General Director of the Donetsk club, Serhiy Palkin, emphasized the unacceptability of such proposals. On the club’s official page on platform X, he expressed his deep disappointment with Infantino’s statement, noting that it demonstrates a complete disconnection from the realities of the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine.
“The statement by FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the possible return of Russian teams to international competitions is a complete detachment from reality, and I am deeply disappointed by it.”
Palkin also invited Infantino to attend Shakhtar’s first match in February to personally communicate with the players who have suffered from the war. Among them are Dmytro Riznyk, who lost his brother, and Denys Tvardovsky, whose father was killed defending the country.
Position of the Ukrainian Authorities and FIFA’s Arguments
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also expressed categorical condemnation of the possible lifting of the ban on Russia’s participation in world football. He reminded that at least 679 Ukrainian children have died due to the war, who “will never be able to play football.” Sybiha emphasized that Russia continues to kill Ukrainians, while some international officials propose lifting sports sanctions despite the ongoing aggression. According to the minister, such decisions will be perceived in history as disgraceful, reminiscent of the scandal surrounding the 1936 Olympics.
In response to the criticism, Infantino stated in an interview with Sky News that the ban on Russian teams allegedly had no effect, and its lifting could reduce tension and promote dialogue. He expressed the opinion that the presence of Russian athletes on the international stage would help avoid isolation and hostility.
It is worth noting that FIFA imposed sanctions on Russia following the onset of the full-scale war in February 2022. As a result, Russian national teams and clubs were suspended from participating in all international tournaments, including the World Cup in Qatar. Russia was also excluded from the qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place this summer in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.