The suspension of the Russian association did not materialize at the 72nd congress of the world football association FIFA in Doha. Although President Gianni Infantino urged peace and dialogue in his speech, there was no vote on Russia’s exclusion.
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 speech: “Seek dialogue with your worst enemy. Football will be there for you to work together for peace to work.”
The Russian association was in the Qatari capital, led by Secretary General Alexander Alaev with a large delegation, and the flag was hoisted normally with those of other nations.
On Wednesday, the Council had already 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 Cup playoffs and will not be at the World Cup from November 21st to December 18th. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS had rejected an objection by Russia against the decision.
“The Russian federation has not violated anything. There are clear conditions for suspension or withdrawal of membership,” Alexei Sorokin, former FIFA Council member and head of organization for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, told the congress.
One should “not be so naive that football can solve all problems” anyway, said Infantino, who did not clearly name the Russian war of aggression as such.