Ukraine blasts FIFA for suggesting Russia’s return

Tensions have flared after FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested Russia’s possible return to international football competitions.

Ukrainian officials say such a move would undermine sporting integrity and ignore the realities of the four-year conflict.

Russian footballers have been banned from competing in FIFA and UEFA tournaments since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“He says that the ban should now be lifted,” says UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist.

ALSO READ: Blatter calls for US World Cup boycott, but critics say FIFA’s moral compass is broken

Infantino said the ban had 'not achieved anything' and had created 'more frustration and hatred'.

Ukraine’s sports minister, Matvii Bidnyi, has hit back, calling Infantino 'irresponsible' and 'infantile'.

“Mr Bidnyi says an attempt to detach football from reality is just not on, especially when that reality means children are being killed and Ukrainian footballers and coaches are dying. He says around 100 footballers alone have died in the four years since Russia started its attack on Ukraine,” says Gilchrist.

Symbolism is sometimes lost on the boss of FIFA, Gilchrist quips.

Infantino recently presented US President Donald Trump with the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’.

“He himself received Russia’s Order of Friendship medal, so what on earth is all this about?” wonders Gilchrist.

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: