Ukraine Calls FIFA Chief ‘Moral Degenerate’ Over Russia Athlete Comments

(MENAFN) Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga has condemned FIFA President Gianni Infantino as a “moral degenerate” after Infantino criticized bans on Russian athletes.

Speaking to a news agency on Monday, Infantino said that bans and boycotts “don’t bring anything and just contribute to more hatred,” and suggested that Russian athletes should be allowed to compete, “at least at youth level.”

Responding on social media, Sibiga pointed to Russia’s ongoing attacks on civilians. “And it keeps killing more while moral degenerates suggest lifting bans, despite Russia’s failure to end its war,” he wrote. The Ukrainian diplomat also claimed that Infantino’s comments would be judged shameful by future generations, drawing a comparison to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany.

Russia maintains that its military operations in Ukraine target only strategic sites and do not strike civilians.

Since the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams have been barred from most international sporting events, including FIFA, UEFA, and the Olympics. Ukraine has additionally imposed sanctions on individual Russian athletes accused of supporting “aggression and propaganda.”

Recently, some organizations have eased restrictions. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged national sports bodies late last year to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in junior competitions under their national flags and anthems.

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