Fifa bans Ukraine president Zelensky’s ‘appeal for peace’ from World Cup final

This is the video message from Ukraine’s President Zelensky that Fifa is refusing to show in Qatar’s Lusail stadium ahead of the World Cup final today.

The video, which was recorded in English, is an “appeal for peace” as Zelensky reminds that world that there are “no champions in war”.

In the one minute and 42 second clip, Zelensky said: “This World Cup proved time again that different countries and nationalities can decide who is the strongest in the fair play but not in the playing with fire, on the green playing field and not on the red battlefield.”

He added: “There are no champions in war. There can be no draw. Stadiums stand empty after the match, and after the war, cities remain empty and that’s why wars must fail and peace is to become the champion as it is here in Qatar now.

“The World Cup but not the world war. It is possible. Please support Ukraine in our efforts to restore peace.”

According to the presidential office, Qatar supported Zelensky’s initiative, but Fifa blocked it and will not allow the video address to be shown before the final between Argentina and France, which kicks off at 3pm.

They were informed that Fifa regarded the message as too political and said they had sent a copy of the text of the address to Fifa headquarters in Switzerland on Friday.

Neither Fifa or Qatar has publicly commented on the request to broadcast the video by Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, has criticised the decision. He said: “The official Fifa web site claims that in the recent years, the organisation has been fast evolving into a body that can more effectively serve our game for the benefit of the entire world.

“No, it hasn’t. To serve football means to serve people.

“Not some of them but the whole humankind. To develop the game globally you need to develop peace globally. You can’t play football on the minefield. You can’t watch a match when missiles target your home. No army squad competes for the World Cup — teams do.”

He added: “Full-hearted and caring love for football is always about peace. But talking peace and truth is not allowed in Fifa as if it were a hate speech or racism. So, they rejected President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plea to make an address to the world before the final match. Calling on nations for help to stop an aggressor and end the war is not welcome. Isn’t it ridiculous?

“We hope though, that a common sense will prevail. Fifa should not freak out of supporting peace. Instead, it should be ashamed of supporting warmongers with its silence.”

Fifa has gone to extreme lengths to keep political messaging out of its showcase tournament in Qatar, the first Middle Eastern nation ever to stage the event.

Criticism of the wealthy Gulf state’s treatment of LGBTQ people and migrant workers grew louder in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. Gianni Infantino, the Fifa boss, responded with a tirade shortly before the tournament began, accusing Europe and the West of hypocrisy.

Fifa and seven European nations later came to loggerheads over the threat of sanctions for any player wearing a “OneLove” captain’s armband during games. The accessory features a striped heart in different colours to represent all heritages, backgrounds, genders and sexual identities.

Hours before Harry Kane, the England captain, was scheduled to wear the armband against Iran, Fifa said any player wearing the armbands would receive a yellow card, putting them in increased danger of being sent off or banned from a later game in the tournament.

At a news conference on Friday, Infantino said Fifa had stopped some “political statements” in Qatar because it has to “take care of everyone”.

“We are a global organisation and we don’t discriminate against anyone,” Infantino said.

“We are defending values, we are defending human rights and rights of everyone at the World Cup. Those fans and the billions watching on TV, they have their own problems. They 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.”