Key facts
- 44 European Parliament members have written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
- They are urging FIFA to reverse its decision to allow Russian athletes to participate in the inaugural U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan.
- The MEPs argue Russia should not be readmitted to FIFA competitions until it enters peace negotiations with Ukraine, ceases fire, and agrees to return kidnapped Ukrainian children.
- FIFA had previously banned Russia from all competitions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine but lifted the ban for youth competitions in 2023.
- FIFA announced the U-15 World Cup would be open to all member associations, including Russia.
- Infantino previously stated that FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, as bans create more hatred.
Forty-four members of the European Parliament are urging FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reverse a decision allowing Russian athletes to compete in the inaugural U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan. In a letter obtained by POLITICO, the lawmakers argue that Russia should not be readmitted to FIFA competitions until it enters peace negotiations with Ukraine, ceases fire, and agrees to return children forcibly kidnapped from Ukrainian territories.
The letter criticizes FIFA for ignoring what they described as “around 20,000 Ukrainian children … forcibly kidnapped and separated from their families by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s regime.” The MEPs urged FIFA to "stand on the side of peace and not appease the aggressor – Russia."
FIFA had banned Russia from all its football competitions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but lifted the blanket ban for youth competitions in 2023. Russian teams have not participated in U-17 World Cups since the ban was lifted. FIFA announced last week that the U-15 World Cup, scheduled for October in Azerbaijan, would be open to all member associations, thus including Russia.
Infantino stated in February that FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, arguing that bans "create more hatred." The European lawmakers contend that allowing Russia's participation could prompt other member countries to boycott the competition, which they believe would "distort FIFA sporting events, where the principle that the best team wins will no longer prevail."
Ukraine's football federation has previously stated it would not participate in competitions with Russia. Russia's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the FIFA ban was dismissed in March 2022. The gradual return of Russia to other sports has drawn criticism in Ukraine and condemnation from the EU.