FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday called for a month-long ceasefire in Ukraine during the 2022 World Cup because sport can bring people together.
The leader of world football’s governing body addressed G20 leaders gathered in Bali, Indonesia, saying the start of the tournament could serve as a “positive trigger” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has been going on for nearly nine months. lasted.
“My plea is that you all think about a one-month temporary ceasefire during the World Cup”he said at a lunch with world leaders.
If it’s not a full ceasefire, maybe there will be “the implementation of some humanitarian corridors or anything else that could lead to the resumption of dialogue”he stressed.
Infantino recalled that Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup and Ukraine submitted a joint bid with Spain and Portugal for 2030.
“We are not naive if we believe that football can solve the world’s problems”said Infantino, who sees the World Cup as a “unique platform” as five billion people – more than half of humanity – are expected to watch the tournament on television.
“We will take this opportunity to do everything we can to end all conflict,” he said. added.
The G20 group talks included President Joe Biden and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, though it was unclear whether any of them overheard Infantino, who later asked world leaders to sign a soccer ball as a souvenir.
FIFA suspended Russia just days after the invasion of Ukraine and banned the Russians from World Cup qualifiers after several countries refused to meet the Russian team.
Source: DN
