The president of the International Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino addressed the participants of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The main tournament on the planet will be held from 20 November to 18 December 2022 in eight stadiums in five cities of Qatar.
“Please, let’s focus on football. We understand that football does not live in a vacuum. We also understand that there are many problems and difficulties of a political nature in the world. But please don’t let football get drawn into every ideological or political battle that exists.
At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs without giving moral lessons to the rest of the world. One of the greatest strengths in the world is indeed its very diversity. No people, no culture or nation is better than any other.
This principle is the cornerstone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the fundamental values of football. So please let football take center stage. “ – citations Infantino Sky Sports.
And every day spoke about the fact that due to the sanctions of FIFA and UEFA, the Russian team has lost the opportunity to take part in the tournament. As they say, insidemutual respect and non-discrimination “.
Squad Valeria Karpina she finished second in the qualifying round and should have played in the play-offs for the right to play at the World Cup, but was disqualified on a national basis.
Olympic speed skating champion, member of the State Duma Svetlana Zhurova commented the words of the head of FIFA, clearly identifying the main reasons for his intervention:
“This was said so that teams or fans would not try to use the stands or matches for political statements related to Russia itself. Now there is a great temptation to announce something at events.
So FIFA says that Russia has already been expelled, let’s finish here. Let us also remember that Qatar has made some requests. There are now many scandals around the World Cup.
It amazes me that it started when everything was ready. When there is not much time before the start and they are trying to ruin the holiday. The organizers urge not to do so “.
Meanwhile, Russian football coaches are now engaged in a difficult task: the search for sparring partners for the country’s main team. While it was possible to agree on November 17 with the national team of Tajikistan, the match will be held in Dushanbe at the Central Republican Stadium. Who will be the rival of the Russians on November 20 is still unknown.
European teams, for known reasons, refuse to play for the Russian national team and, according to those who know, we will have to stay in the marginalized state of football for a long time.
While Mr. Infantino, there is something “exploded” in the “cornerstone of mutual respect and non-discrimination”.