FIFA rejected Ukraine’s request for a message of peace at World Cup final

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has rejected a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver a message of peace at the World Cup final in Qatar on Sunday, December 18.

Source: CNN citing its sources.

According to a CNN source, the Office of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to FIFA to appear in a video message to the fans at the stadium before the match and was surprised by the negative response.

“We thought that FIFA wanted to use its platform for the greater good,” it stated.

The source added that negotiations between Ukraine and the sport’s governing body are still ongoing.

Zelensky has fought hard to keep Ukraine in the global spotlight since Russia’s large-scale invasion in late February. To do so, he has been appealing to various countries and international institutions.

The World Cup is taking place in Qatar. On Sunday, the final between the national teams of Argentina and France will take place, and the new world champions of football will be defined.

Due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA banned all Russian clubs and national teams in February, enforced “until further notice.” The Russian women’s team could not compete in the Euro 2022 competition last summer, the men’s squad was banned from the World Cup, and Spartak Moscow was banned from the Europa League. Russia has become a pariah state because of its war against Ukraine, and football is no exception.

Photo: sport-express