Ukraine Legend Shevchenko Confronts FIFA Chief Over Russia Ban
In a tense encounter at the UEFA congress in Brussels, Ukraine football icon Andriy Shevchenko directly challenged FIFA president Gianni Infantino, demanding that Russia remain banned from international football. The meeting occurred today, with Shevchenko, who serves as president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, tracking down Infantino to deliver a firm message against any potential reinstatement.
Shevchenko's Uncompromising Stance
Shevchenko, the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker, told the Daily Mirror that he sat down with Infantino and conveyed his key talking points clearly. "I conveyed my talking points," Shevchenko stated, emphasising that "this is not the right time to bring back Russia" and that "the situation remains unchanged" since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He and the Ukrainian FA maintain that nothing has altered to justify lifting the ban, which was imposed by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022 after the full-scale invasion.
Infantino's Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
Last week, Infantino sparked widespread outrage by suggesting in an interview with Sky Sports that Russian youth teams should be reintegrated into international football. He argued that the ban "has not achieved anything" and "has just created more frustration and hatred." Infantino added that allowing Russian girls and boys to play football in Europe could be beneficial. However, his comments were met with strong criticism from Ukrainian officials and European football circles.
Ukraine's sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, labelled Infantino's words as "irresponsible" and "infantile," pointing out the harsh reality of the war. "Let me remind you that since the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians," Bidnyi said, noting over a hundred footballers among the casualties.
Russia's Hopes and Practical Barriers
Despite Infantino's remarks, Russia faces significant obstacles to a return. Alexey Sorokin, a former FIFA council member advising the Russian Football Union, viewed Infantino's comments as a "good sign" for a potential pathway back. However, in practice, Russia's reinstatement remains highly unlikely. Opponents have consistently refused to play Russian teams, and there is no widespread clamour to reverse this trend. Even if FIFA were to welcome Russia back, their participation in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers would be unviable due to ongoing boycotts.
Broader Context and Support for Ukrainian Athletes
The meeting comes as the war approaches its fourth anniversary later this month, with dismay growing in Ukraine over any potential softening of Russia's isolation in sports. Shevchenko also expressed support for Ukrainian athletes facing international sanctions, such as skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified by the IOC over a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed in the war. "We support our athletes! Always!" Shevchenko declared.
Infantino avoided mentioning Russia in his speech to the UEFA Congress, and a senior FIFA official described the meeting with Shevchenko as "constructive." Meanwhile, Russian officials reported no direct communication with FIFA since last week, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions in the football world.
