Just days ahead of the Qatar World Cup 2022, FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday called on Russia and Ukraine to use the showpiece event as an opportunity for a “ceasefire” between the two countries.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a request on Tuesday for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine for the duration of the World Cup 2022, urging all parties to use it as a "positive trigger" to move toward a settlement.
The month-long World Cup, which starts in Qatar from Sunday, offers a special platform for peace, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was speaking during a lunch with the heads of the Group of 20 (G20) major countries on the Indonesian island of Bali.
"My plea to all of you, to think on a temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the World Cup, or at least the implementation of some humanitarian corridors or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace," Infantino said.
"You're the world leaders, you have the ability to influence the course of history. Football and the World Cup are offering you and the world a unique platform of unity and peace all over the world," the FIFA boss added.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has appealed to world leaders to call a 'temporary ceasefire' to conflict during the Qatar World Cup. pic.twitter.com/uSFfCnSvoq
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews)The World Cup is being held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, the first Middle Eastern nation to do so.
As a result of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was disqualified from the 2018 World Cup, where it advanced to the quarterfinals. Ukraine came very close to earning a spot in Qatar, but Wales prevailed in the decisive playoff in June.
Infantino pointed out that while Ukraine is vying to host the 2030 competition and Russia hosted the 2018 edition, up to 5.5 billion people are anticipated to watch this year's competition, which could send a message of hope.
"Maybe the current World Cup, starting in five days can be that positive trigger," he added.
In Qatar, 32 countries will compete in 64 matches, including former champions Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, and Spain as well as Japan, Senegal, Costa Rica, and Saudi Arabia.
Following this appeal, several social media users trolled Infantino, with some suggesting that it's interesting how the FIFA boss appeals for 'no war' until the World Cup is over instead of 'no war' at all.
"Please Vladimir Putin, no more bombs and missiles towards Ukraine because Qatar vs Ecuador is scheduled to be played on Sunday," said one user in an attempt to mock the FIFA chief.
"I like that he hasn't gone for "no war" but "no war while the world cup's on". A true FIFA man," stated another.
A third user commented, "UAF - "We've got the Russians on the run, but we're going to stop because Qatar v Ecuador is on."
Also read: Ex-FIFA boss Sepp Blatter wants Iran to be excluded from Qatar World Cup 2022; here's why
Here's a look at some of the other reactions to Infantino's statement:
Please Vladimir Putin, no more bombs and missiles towards Ukraine because Qatar vs Ecuador is scheduled to be played on Sunday. 🙃 https://t.co/qcervo0V9G
— Jamie Cleverly ⭐️🇬🇧⭐ (@jamiecleverly)I like that he hasn’t gone for “no war” but “no war while the world cup’s on”. A true FIFA man. https://t.co/GOzFGwrVk2
— Rob (@RobFrancis82)UAF - "We've got the Russians on the run, but we're going to stop because Qatar v Ecuador is on" https://t.co/uhLsE9Yc89
— Paul Drake-Davis 🇺🇦 #IStandWithUkraine (@paulypauluk)Russia just launched pointless cruise missile attacks into flats in Kyiv hours later... https://t.co/EN8IUqCwhy
— Robbie Weir (@rw2711)‘Here Putin, mind keeping it down and pausing the invasion? Footys on lad’ https://t.co/NjpLoT0XL4
— Matty (@Hempomatt)Gianni Infantino and the whole corrupt cesspool that is can go fuck themselves with extreme prejudice. These assholes must have really cashed in by agreeing to hold the World Cup in Qatar, a gross human rights violator. https://t.co/4mACAH5L3U
— Dean Rivando ⚒ ⚓ φ (@drivandalism)Just leaving this here. https://t.co/wA4wXSLGRw pic.twitter.com/PhG06MkhWC
— John Duncan (@Newbattleatwar)He’s so monumentally stupid and has zero self-awareness https://t.co/VAQgsH5SiR
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner)Infantino received the Order of Friendship at the Kremlin from Putin in 2019. He described 2018 World Cup as "the best ever" & added: "Thank you very much, Slava Rossii ('Glory to Russia' in Russian)." That was 5 years after Russia annexed Crimea & the start of the War in Donbas. https://t.co/2FLXeaIMSq
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin)🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 nah bruv https://t.co/EviImWWc0U pic.twitter.com/MlmLrSHZbm
— sussexbythesea (@sussexbythesea4)Vladimir stop the missiles, Canada vs Morocco is about to kick off https://t.co/YFS8QmawHS pic.twitter.com/8aSHsUUrni
— L (@Loftus_Cheeky)Still out here doing work for Putin what a shitpile of a human https://t.co/0vOl2hG4XL
— Chet Manley (@WWSwagger)🗣️"I need as many 👀 on the WC as possible, to make as much 💰 as possible, then you can go back to killing eachother". https://t.co/oQCeITjonD
— DrogbaTheKING 🇮🇪☘️ (@MackeyCFC)Hahahahah the World Cup is more important than people’s life’s https://t.co/2BD00DilIS
— SQUBE (@squbop)Fucking ceasefire for the most worthless WC in football history because Infantino wants more oil money? For fuck sake, ceasefire is only beneficial for Russians to regroup, Ukraine contre-offensive is successful. Every minute of Ukrainian territories being occupied costs lives
— Mykola 🇺🇦 (official, not a parody) (@bloombeary)Infantino imploring the G20 to use their power to bring about a ceasefire in Ukraine. Was he asking for a friend? https://t.co/VbmxmoAh65 pic.twitter.com/cIhH1H4992
— Paul Little (@little_football)Is it FIFA's place to call for a ceasefire during the World Cup? Pretty good way to deflect from the criticism of holding it in Qatar.
Infantino tells world leaders this is their chance to change the course of history. Honestly? https://t.co/FtVKSs4jhO
FIFA President Infantino called for a ceasefire on the front of Ukraine and the Russian Federation during the 2022 World Cup.
Lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
The fact that Gianni Infantino is seeking to use the World Cup as a way to bring about a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict shows how massive football is as a force for impact. At the same time, it shows that football is definitely political and always was.
— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17)FIFA's Infantino urges a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine for the duration of the World Cup, calling for all sides to use the tournament as a “positive trigger” to work towards a resolution. The sheer pomposity of this is astounding. What happens when the WC is over?
— Mark Conrad (@Sportslaw1)