Under agenda item four (“Suspension or expulsion of a member association”), only the existing suspensions of the associations of Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Kenya were extended instead.
“Please, please end the conflicts, the wars, for our future and our children”said Infantino in his address: “Seek dialogue even with your worst enemy. Football will be there for you to work together for peace.”
Russians in Doha, Ukrainians not
The Russian association was in the Qatari capital, led by Secretary General Alexander Alajew with a large delegation, and the flag was hoisted normally with those of other nations.
However, the FIFA Congress took place without delegates from Ukraine. Instead, a short video was played of the association’s president, Andriy Pavelko, who was standing in a protective vest on a square in Ukraine. Pawelko reported on footballers killed in the Russian war of aggression and spoke of “Horrors of War”.
Exclusion of Russian teams from competitions confirmed
Already on Wednesday (03/30/2022) it had Council confirmed the decision taken in February to exclude Russian teams from their competitions because of the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian selection was therefore missing in the World Cupplayoffs and will not be at the World Championships from November 21st to December 18th either. The International Arbitration Court CAS had rejected an objection by Russia to the decision.
“The Russian federation has not violated anything. There are clear conditions for suspension or withdrawal of membership”Alexei Sorokin, former member of the FIFA Council and head of organization for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said before the congress.
Infantino: “There are also wars in other parts of the world”
The 2018 World Cup in Russia, for which he was already jointly responsible as FIFA President, is “a great success” been, “sporting and cultural”said Infantino: “But obviously it hasn’t solved the world’s problems, it hasn’t even solved the problems in the region, it hasn’t brought about lasting peace.” He is not “so naive” to believe that football can solve all problems. But FIFA wanted theirs “small role” playing at bringing people together, said Infantino, who did not clearly identify the Russian war of aggression as such: “There are terrible wars and conflicts in other parts of the world too, we mustn’t forget that.”
Source: dpa/sid