July 2 – Pressure is growing on Gianni Infantino after 44 Members of the European Parliament called on FIFA to keep Russia out of this year’s inaugural Under-15 World Cup. 
 
According to Politico, the group has written to FIFA urging the governing body not to readmit Russian teams until the country enters peace talks with Ukraine, agrees to a ceasefire and returns Ukrainian children taken from occupied territories. 
 
The letter follows FIFA’s confirmation that the new boys’ and girls’ Under-15 World Cups, due to be held in Azerbaijan in October, will be open to all member associations. Unless FIFA changes course, that leaves the door open for Russia to appear at one of its tournaments for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 
 
In the letter, the lawmakers accuse FIFA of ignoring what they describe as the forced deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children. 
 
“We urge FIFA to stand on the side of peace and not appease the aggressor – Russia,” the letter reads, according to Politico. 
 
FIFA suspended Russian teams from international competition shortly after the invasion, with the decision later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport following an appeal by the Russian Football Union. 
 
Although FIFA said in 2023 that youth teams could eventually return under certain conditions, Russia has yet to feature at one of its youth tournaments. The launch of the Under-15 World Cup now presents the governing body with another decision over whether that policy should be put into practice. 
 
The MEPs also warned that Russia’s inclusion could trigger withdrawals from other participating nations. The Ukrainian Association of Football has consistently said its teams will not play against Russian opposition, raising the prospect of further political tension around the tournament before a ball has even been kicked. 
 
Infantino has previously argued that sporting bans “create more hatred” and has spoken in favour of Russia’s eventual return to international football. 
 
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]