"Russian national teams and clubs were suspended from all competitions by Fifa and Uefa in February 2022 after the country's invasion of Ukraine. With the war still going on, Infantino has said "this ban has not achieved anything" and "has just created more frustration and hatred". He added: "Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.""
"It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russia's return to international competitions. As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity and fair play."
Fifa and Uefa suspended Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions in February 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Gianni Infantino said the ban "has not achieved anything" and "has just created more frustration and hatred," and suggested allowing Russian children to play in other parts of Europe. Ukraine's sports minister Matvii Bidnyi called Infantino "irresponsible" and "infantile," saying football is detached from the reality in which children are being killed. Bidnyi stated that "War is a crime, not politics," accused Russia of politicising sport to justify aggression, and warned against Russia's return while violence continues. Russia remains excluded from major tournaments but has played matches against non-Western nations, and Ukraine previously criticised the IPC for lifting a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Read at www.bbc.com
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