FIFA will reportedly allow banned nation to return to international tournament this year
Russia will reportedly be allowed to participate in an international football tournament in October, more than four years after being suspended from all competitions by FIFA following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the governing body would "definitely" consider lifting a ban on Russia, even though the war in Ukraine was still going on.
"We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred," said Infantino. "Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help."
After being hosts for the 2018 edition of the World Cup, Russia were banned from both the 2022 and 2026 tournaments after it invaded Ukraine.
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The ban extended to the youth and women's teams, with Russian teams remaining absent from under-17 tournaments organised by FIFA and UEFA, but it appears that could change in the coming months.
A report from DPA International claims Russia will be allowed to participate in an international football tournament again in October, when FIFA host its inaugural under-15 World Cup and Festival.
As mentioned in an official statement by FIFA on Wednesday, all 211 member associations have been invited to the new tournament, which will take place from October 22 to 31 in Azerbaijan.
"The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member Associations, the second instalment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only," FIFA said in the statement.
"From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions."
According to the previously mentioned publication, the list of participants includes Russia and Belarus.
In addition to that report, Reuters suggest a Russian team 'may be allowed' to participate at a FIFA event for the first time since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with the under-15 World Cup and Festival being mentioned.
Over the past four years, Russia have played international friendlies against nations largely outside of Europe. During the most recent international break, they came up against Trinidad and Tobago and Burkina Faso.
READ MORE: FIFA issue statement confirming entire country banned from all football
Gianni Infantino wants Israel and Palestine to face each other in opening match of under-15 World Cup and Festival
Earlier this month, it was reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pushing for FIFA to schedule a symbolic opening match between Israel and Palestine.
Back in April, during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, the FIFA chief attempted to get Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman to shake hands, but both declined.
Speaking to Reuters shortly afterwards, Palestinian FA vice-president Susan Shalabi said: “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.”
Infantino, meanwhile, is attempting to use football as a symbol of peace, with the Italian referencing the under-15 tournament when questioned about the Israeli and Palestinian delegates refusing to shake hands.
“Let me thank the two representatives from Israel and from Palestine, who have the same rights, duties and obligations, who are members of Fifa,” Infantino said. “We will work together, let’s work together to give hope to the children, let’s work together for that.
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
SPORTbible has reached out to FIFA for comment.
Topics: FIFA, Russia, FIFA World Cup
Jack Kenmare