Today in Sports
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
  • DMCA
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
No Result
View All Result
Today in Sports
No Result
View All Result

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushes for Russia’s comeback in soccer competitions: UEFA’s position revealed

April 4, 2025
in Soccer
0
Home Soccer
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


You might also like

Matt Targett transfer: Newcastle defender can leave

“It was written”: Edwin van der Sar believes Man United would always sack Erik ten Hag after takeover – Man United News And Transfer News

‘Me and Joelinton could play as if this was just another club and not give a s**t about what it means to the fans, but that’s the opposite of what we do on the pitch – we behave like fans’: Bruno Guimaraes’ love for Newcastle United

At the 49th UEFA Congress in Belgrade, FIFA president Gianni Infantino reignited a controversial discussion: the potential return of Russia to international soccer. While his statement was framed around the hope for peace in Ukraine, the reaction it drew from UEFA and the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) was stark—and firm.

Yet, what UEFA said about this possibility reveals a far more complex dynamic at play behind soccer’s governing bodies, global politics, and the unifying—or dividing—power of sport.

Standing before European soccer leaders, Infantino expressed a desire that Russia may soon be welcomed back into the international fold, but only if such a return symbolized an end to war. His words were hopeful, even idealistic, and reflected soccer’s long-standing ambition to serve as a force for unity.

“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 soccer landscape. Because this would mean that everything is solved,” Infantino said. “That’s what we have to cheer for, that’s what we have to pray for — because that is what soccer is about. It’s not about dividing, it’s about uniting girls, uniting boys, uniting people from wherever they are.”

Russia has been banned from all FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This includes both national teams and club sides across all age groups. The suspension has now lasted over three years.

UEFA stands firm

Infantino’s remarks quickly drew attention—and drew a line in the sand. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin made it clear: there would be no return for Russia while the war persists. “As I’ve said many times before, when the war stops, they will be readmitted,” he stated firmly at the closing press conference of the congress.

His comments echo the governing body’s long-standing position, one that was first enacted in February 2022, when the UEFA Executive Committee, in conjunction with the FIFA Council, suspended Russian teams from all international competitions.

Behind the scenes, UEFA insiders told Diario AS that there was no official discussion of reinstating Russian teams during the Congress, as such decisions fall outside its procedural competence. Still, Infantino’s comments were enough to prompt strong reactions across Europe—particularly in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Football Association responds

The Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) responded with an official letter addressed to UEFA and national soccer associations across Europe, reminding them of the decision taken in 2022 and warning against backtracking.

“We are grateful to the soccer family for the immediate response at the beginning of the full-scale war unleashed against us by Russia… and for keeping the teams of the aggressor country away from international soccer for the past three years,” the UAF wrote.

They also criticized past attempts to partially lift the ban—such as the brief proposal to allow Russian U-17 teams into UEFA competitions in 2023, a move that was later rescinded after widespread backlash.

“The return of Russians to competitions under the auspices of UEFA and FIFA threatens a split in the soccer family and poses a direct threat to the safety and integrity of such international competitions,” the UAF concluded.

Still, reports indicate that UEFA director Zoran Lakovic had expressed hopes in Russian media that by 2025, “Russian sport will finally return to its former place.” These conflicting signals have left European soccer walking a political tightrope.



Source link

Tags: Aleksander CeferincomebackcompetitionsFIFAGianniGianni InfantinoInfantinopositionpresidentpushesRevealedRussiaRussiassoccerUEFAUEFAsUkraineWorld Soccer News
Share30Tweet19

Recommended For You

Matt Targett transfer: Newcastle defender can leave

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 17, 2025
0
Matt Targett transfer: Newcastle defender can leave

Newcastle United have reportedly made it clear to Matt Targett that he can leave the club this summer.The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at St James’ Park...

Read more

“It was written”: Edwin van der Sar believes Man United would always sack Erik ten Hag after takeover – Man United News And Transfer News

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 17, 2025
0
“It was written”: Edwin van der Sar believes Man United would always sack Erik ten Hag after takeover – Man United News And Transfer News

1 Edwin van der Sar believes there was an inevitability to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal as Manchester United manager after INEOS assumed control at Old Trafford. The Petrochemical...

Read more

‘Me and Joelinton could play as if this was just another club and not give a s**t about what it means to the fans, but that’s the opposite of what we do on the pitch – we behave like fans’: Bruno Guimaraes’ love for Newcastle United

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 17, 2025
0
‘Me and Joelinton could play as if this was just another club and not give a s**t about what it means to the fans, but that’s the opposite of what we do on the pitch – we behave like fans’: Bruno Guimaraes’ love for Newcastle United

With their first domestic trophy lifted for 70 years and a push for a Champions League place, the 2024/25 season is shaping up to be one of the...

Read more

Liverpool at risk of missing out on Kudus as Saudi clubs prepare to move

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 17, 2025
0
Liverpool at risk of missing out on Kudus as Saudi clubs prepare to move

Liverpool could see one long-standing transfer target move to Saudi Arabia instead, according to a report which has emerged on Saturday morning.For a number of months now, the...

Read more

Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal transfer target “expected to leave” after major development

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 17, 2025
0
Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal transfer target “expected to leave” after major development

Alberto Moleiro and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Octavio Passos, Michael Steele/Getty Images) Arsenal may have been handed a significant transfer boost as it looks like Alberto Moleiro is...

Read more
Next Post
Bayer Leverkusen eye summer swoop for Stefan Ortega

Bayer Leverkusen eye summer swoop for Stefan Ortega

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Outcomes

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Outcomes

August 2, 2024
Celtics’ difficult decisions becoming easier?

Celtics’ difficult decisions becoming easier?

February 23, 2025
2024 System 1 United States Grand Prix Highlights

2024 System 1 United States Grand Prix Highlights

November 3, 2024

Browse by Category

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
Today in Sports

Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net. Soccer News, Basketball News, Baseball News, Golf News, Boxing News and More!

CATEGORIES

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis

Recent News

  • Palace star eyes Real or Barca
  • Matt Targett transfer: Newcastle defender can leave
  • “It was written”: Edwin van der Sar believes Man United would always sack Erik ten Hag after takeover – Man United News And Transfer News
  • Contact us
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.