Ukraine’s sports minister has criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to lift the ban on Russia’s participation in youth competitions, calling it “irresponsible” and “infantile.”
Infantino argued that the ban, implemented by FIFA and UEFA following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, should “definitely” be lifted, particularly at the youth level. He stated in an interview with Sky News that the ban has “not achieved anything” and has instead “created more frustration and hatred.”
“Allowing Russian boys and girls to participate in football matches across Europe would be beneficial,” the Swiss official added.
In response, Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine’s sports minister, remarked on Tuesday, “Gianni Infantino’s comments are detached from the harsh reality where children are being killed.” He reminded the public that over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have lost their lives since Russia’s full-scale aggression began.
Among those fatalities were more than 100 football players. One tragic example is Illia Perezhogin, a 10th-grade student in Mariupol, who was playing football at his school stadium when a Russian missile struck.
Another victim was former futsal player Viktoriia Kotliarova, who was killed alongside her mother during shelling in Kyiv on December 29, 2023. She had been a champion at the Kyiv Student Futsal Cup and a winner of the Dynamo Student League tournament.
“War is a crime, not a political matter. It is Russia that politicizes sports to legitimize its aggression. I align myself with the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also opposes Russia’s return to international competitions,” Bidnyi emphasized.
“As long as Russians continue to kill Ukrainians and use sport for political motives, their flag and national symbols have no place among those who value justice, integrity, and fair play.”
On December 17, the FIFA Council announced plans for a new U15 festival, comprising a boys’ event scheduled for next year and a girls’ event planned for 2027. This initiative follows a recommendation from the Olympic Summit for international sports federations to permit Russian teams and athletes to compete under their national flag in youth competitions.
A media release detailing the FIFA Council’s decisions stated that these events would be “open to all 211 FIFA member associations.”
On Boxing Day last year, Alexander Dyukov, president of the Russian Football Union, expressed expectations that, following the IOC’s recommendation, international football authorities would allow Russian teams to participate in official competitions next year.
“We hope that, considering the IOC’s recommendations, a solution will be found to facilitate our teams’ inclusion in upcoming draws. We anticipate similar decisions from FIFA as well,” he stated.
Dyukov mentioned his intention to attend the upcoming UEFA Congress in Brussels, viewing it as an opportunity to discuss Russia’s potential return.
However, senior figures within European football’s administration, as reported by the Press Association, remain doubtful about the practical implications of lifting the ban, even at the youth level, due to concerns that other teams may refuse to compete against Russia until a permanent political resolution to the ongoing conflict is achieved.