Russian teams will be welcomed back into world football immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Thursday.
Infantino promised that Russia “would be there the first day to play football again”, as he spoke at the world governing body’s congress in Qatar, this year’s World Cup host country.
Infantino, who in 2019 was awarded an Order of Friendship medal by Russian president Vladimir Putin, said he was “devastated” by the news coming out of Ukraine.
But he said it was right that there was Russian representation at the congress, insisting the country’s national federation had not been suspended by FIFA.
The country’s national and club teams have been blocked from playing in FIFA and UEFA competitions, including the World Cup.
But Infantino said it was important to maintain dialogue with federation officials.
Speaking in a news conference following the congress session, Infantino said: “I’m very sad, of course, for what is happening, and I’m as devastated as everyone.”
He added: “We had to suspend Russia and Russian teams. It’s not an easy decision of course, because it’s about people who love football.
“We had to make the decisions, and now we have to look forward and hope the hostilities can stop, and we can bring a little bit of peace.
“The decision on Russia has been taken. The Russian Football Union has appealed the decision to CAS [the Court of Arbitration for Sport], so we are waiting for the result of the CAS deliberations.
“We will see what comes next. I sincerely hope the conflict can end, and we will be there the first day to play football again, because that is what I think is needed in this country.
“Russia as a football union, like any other federation, has not been suspended as such by FIFA, it has been participating in this congress as well.”
