Furious reactions to ‘weak’ FIFA measures: ‘Just as criminal’


Monday, February 28, 2022 at 10:35• Mart van Mourik • Last update: 10:38

Evgeniy Levchenko takes a hard look at FIFA on Twitter. The World Football Association announced measures against Russia on Sunday following the invasion of Ukraine, but the announced sanctions are not drastic enough, according to the chairman of the Dutch players’ union VVCS. Ukrainian-born Levchenko calls FIFA “as criminal as Russia.”

In an official statement, FIFA announced that it would take measures against Russia. The World Football Association has decided that matches of Russian teams must be played on a neutral ground for the time being, without showing the flag or playing the national anthem. In addition, Russia must start playing its matches under the name Football Union of Russia (RFU). FIFA does not want to proceed to complete exclusion of Russia for the time being, and that does not go well with Levchenko.

“This is insane,” the former footballer writes in English. “People are dying in Ukraine. And FIFA is just letting the Russian regime use the sport for its own popularity. Shame on you, FIFA.” Moments later, he adds some clear words in Ukrainian: “An absolutely unacceptable decision by FIFA. They just let the Russian team play internationally. In this situation, FIFA is just as criminal as the ‘aggressor country’. We need not to keep the sport out of politics,” said Levchenko.

The Polish Football Association has already announced that, despite the announced measures by FIFA, it does not intend to play against Russia. Russia would actually play in the play-offs for a ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in March. Poland – the opponent in the semi-finals – already announced on Saturday that it would not play against the Russians. Sweden, Wales and the Czech Republic – the possible opponents in the final – have also announced that they do not intend to continue a duel with Russia.


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