By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2025-04-03 15:24:12 | Updated at 2025-04-04 10:57:55
20 hours ago
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed hope that Russia could return to international football "soon", suggesting such a move would signify the end of the war in Ukraine.
Russia's national and domestic teams have been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022, following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at the 49th UEFA Congress in Belgrade on Thursday, Infantino linked Russia's potential return to football with peace in the region.
His comments come after Russia and Ukraine held US-mediated peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed hope that Russia could return to international football "soon", suggesting such a move would signify the end of the war in Ukraine
PA
"As talks are going on for peace in Ukraine, I hope that we can soon move to the next page, bring back, as well, Russia in the football landscape because this would mean that everything is solved," the FIFA president said.
Infantino emphasised that football should unite rather than divide.
"That's what we have to cheer for, that's what we have to pray for because that is what football is about. It's not about dividing, it's about uniting girls, uniting boys, uniting people from wherever they are," he added.
For Russia to return to international competitions, a majority of UEFA's Executive Committee would need to vote in favour of lifting the suspension.
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Russia were banned from football after the country invaded Ukraine back in 2022
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UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin reiterated his position on Russia's potential return at the same congress.
"As I've said many times before, when the war stops, they will be readmitted," he stated.
Russia's ban has remained in place for three years.
However, discussions about the country's return to international sports have increased in recent months.
"Sport cannot exist separately from fundamental values such as peace, respect, and fair play," the UAF said in a statement.
The Ukrainian football body emphasised that allowing Russia to compete would "normalise aggression" and "undermine the principles upon which international sports are built."
They added it would mean "ignoring the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians, including members of the football community, who have lost their lives defending our country."
Earlier discussions about Russia's return to sports included comments from UEFA official Zoran Lakovic, who reportedly said he hoped in 2025 that 'Russian sport will finally return to its former place: the peak of European sport.'
Donald Trump has intervened in an effort to end the war in Ukraine
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In September 2023, UEFA had announced plans to allow Russian Under-17 teams to compete in its competitions.
These proposals were later withdrawn following backlash.
When asked if Trump had discussed Russia's return to the World Cup, Infantino replied: "No. I think there are more important topics to discuss when you discuss peace than about a football tournament."
The FIFA president has maintained that football could play a role "once peace has been achieved."
