04.02.2026 00:35
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that banning Russia from international competitions does not bring any benefits, saying, "I believe it would be beneficial for children in Russia to play matches in Europe."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that the sanctions imposed on Russia should be lifted. Speaking to the British news channel Sky News, Infantino stated that banning Russia from international competitions has not brought any benefits, only more disappointment and hatred.
'I BELIEVE IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL'
Emphasizing that no country should be banned from playing football, Infantino said, "I believe it will be beneficial for the children in Russia to play matches in Europe."
INFANTINO APOLOGIZED TO ENGLISH FANS
Infantino also apologized for his remarks about English fans during his speech at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland last month. He stated that his intention was not to offend English fans, saying, "First of all, I must apologize. It was actually a joke I made to show that the World Cup in Qatar is a celebration, a peaceful event, and that everyone came together peacefully."
'A WONDERFUL THING'
Infantino emphasized that it is "a wonderful thing" for English fans to come peacefully and support their teams while having fun. In his speech in Davos, Infantino mentioned that for the first time in history, no English fans were arrested during the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, and after this statement, he faced heavy criticism from English fans.