The office of the President of Ukraine said that FIFA considers the text of Volodymyr Zelensky’s appeal too political, but promised to distribute it itself if the football federation does not change its mind
FIFA president Gianni Infantino
(Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The Office of the President of Ukraine has criticized FIFA for refusing to show Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech before the final match of the World Cup in Qatar, in shape Cnn.
The TV channel reported on 16 December that Zelensky wanted to broadcast a peace message before the match, but FIFA refused to show it.
In a statement to CNN, the president’s office said that Qatar “supported the president’s initiative, but was blocked by FIFA”, considering the text of the appeal too political.
Zelenskiy’s administration also said it would distribute the video message on its own unless FIFA changed its mind and that the federation “has lost its precious understanding of football as a game that brings people together and does not support existing divisions.” “.
The Qatari authorities have not publicly commented on the initiative of the President of Ukraine.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said in a December 16 press conference that the football field should not be a site for political protests.
Zelensky has made video messages at many events since the launch of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, including the Grammy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival.
Russian national team in February expelled from the qualifying tournament of the World Cup by decision of FIFA and UEFA, and the Ukrainian team I could not pass the qualifications.
The final of the World Cup will take place on December 18, the national teams of Argentina and France will play in it, starting at 18:00 Moscow time.
