FIFA has allegedly denied a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to share a video message of world peace ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday,
CNN source said that Zelenskyy’s office was surprised by the negative response and added, “We thought FIFA wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”
The source also told CNN that talks between Zelenskyy’s administration and FIFA are still underway.
FIFA has been subject to much criticism in both the lead up to and during this year’s World Cup, on topics ranging from host nation Qatar’s record of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, to the deaths of hundreds of migrant workers during the building of the tournament’s stadiums.
Throughout the event, FIFA has taken an apolitical stance and has attempted to keep any political messaging away from the event, even going as far as to threaten penalties for players who wear “OneLove” armbands.
In a press conference, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organization’s strategy to shun politics, saying,
“[Fans] just want to watch 90 or 120 minutes without having to think about anything, but just enjoying a little moment of pleasure and joy. We have to give them a moment when they can forget about their problems and enjoy football.”
