Sergei Palkin, the chief executive of Shakhtar Donetsk, has urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to visit Ukraine and see the devastation brought on by the war, rather than suggesting that Russia might be welcomed back into international football.
This Tuesday marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with estimates from the Center for Strategic International Studies indicating that as many as 140,000 Ukrainians and approximately 325,000 Russians have lost their lives in the conflict.
In February 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian football clubs and national teams from competitions. However, earlier this month, Infantino remarked that the ban should be reconsidered, claiming it “has not achieved anything, but has only led to more frustration and hatred.”
Ukraine’s sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, condemned these remarks as “irresponsible” and “infantile,” asserting that over 100 footballers are among the more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed due to Russian actions.
Palkin’s critiques of FIFA continued as Ukrainian clubs expressed disappointment over the implementation of Annex 7 to FIFA regulations, which permitted foreign players in Russia and Ukraine to suspend their contracts unilaterally due to the war.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, reflecting on four years of conflict, Palkin stated: “This story with FIFA has persisted for four years, and I am very weary of this kind of relationship.” He added, “Infantino’s statements about inviting Russia to rejoin world football demonstrate a negative stance toward Ukrainian football.” He went on to say, “Imagine someone making such statements. Annex 7 pales in comparison to this.”
Palkin urged Infantino to visit Ukraine to witness the devastation firsthand, rather than making irresponsible comments from afar. “To reintegrate Russia while Ukraine is suffering from this war is a betrayal of the sport’s claim of being one family,” he asserted. “Instead of thinking about reintegrating Russia, Infantino should focus on creating a fund to help rebuild sports infrastructure in Ukraine. Our conditions are dire.” He emphasized, “Much of our infrastructure is completely destroyed, and our football has been critically impacted. Infantino must prioritize these issues rather than consider reintroducing a country that has invaded Ukraine and harmed our people and children.”
FIFA did not respond to ESPN’s request for comment. Shakhtar estimates that Annex 7 has cost them around €60 million ($70.65 million) in lost revenues, as about 15 players left the club without the expected transfer fees during peacetime.
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Sporting director Dario Srna compared their experience with FIFA to the more constructive dialogue they have had with UEFA and president Aleksander Ceferin. “FIFA has done nothing for us,” Srna remarked to ESPN, calling it disrespectful. “They should be protecting the club, the players, and the football. We’ve lost significant investment and players due to FIFA’s unreasonable rules.” He added, “FIFA didn’t provide us any explanations. Their role should be to support players and clubs and nurture football in Ukraine, not to undermine it. Mr. Ceferin has been there for us every step of the way.”
Srna praised UEFA’s actions, stating, “Ceferin was available 24/7 to assist with players leaving and arriving in Ukraine. He even reached out to [French president Emmanuel] Macron for help. He acted not only as the president of UEFA but also as a compassionate human being.”