FIFA's Aftermath of Russia's Re-Joining, Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Criticizes Gianni Infantino: Look at the Destruction of Ukraine
JAKARTA - Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation caused by the war, instead of suggesting Russia could rejoin world football.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Estimates vary, but the Center for Strategic and International Studies says as many as 140,000 Ukrainians have died, in addition to 325,000 Russians.
As a result of the invasion, the Russian football club and national team were suspended from all events by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022. However, Infantino said earlier this month that the ban should be lifted because it achieved nothing, only creating more frustration and hatred.
Ukrainian Minister of Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, called the comments irresponsible and childish. He claimed that more than 100 football players were among the more than 650 athletes and coaches of the Ukrainian National Team killed by Russia.
Because of this, Palkin continued his criticism of FIFA after Ukrainian clubs were disappointed with the organization regarding the introduction of Appendix 7 to their regulations, which allows foreign players in Russia and Ukraine to unilaterally suspend their contracts after the outbreak of war in the region.
"This story with FIFA has been going on for four years and I am very tired of this kind of relationship with FIFA."
"The same negative attitude towards Ukrainian football occurred when Infantino made a statement saying he would invite Russia to rejoin world football."
"Can you imagine if someone made a statement like this? Appendix 7 is nothing compared to this."
"I suggest Infantino visits Ukraine to witness the destruction in person rather than making irresponsible statements like this from afar."
"Reintegrating Russia while Ukraine suffers from this war, it is a betrayal of the claims of this sport's 'one family'," he said.
"He should not think about Russia's reintegration, he should think about how to create funds that will finance the reconstruction of sports infrastructure in Ukraine. We have worrying conditions."
"We have a lot of infrastructure that was completely destroyed. Our football is in a very, very critical situation. Infantino should think about this and not about integrating a country that fully invaded Ukraine and tried to kill our people, our children," Palkin said in an exclusive interview with ESPN.
Shakhtar believes that Annex 7 (Annex 7 FIFA) has cost them around 60 million euros in lost revenue as around 15 players left the club without the transfer fees they were due in peacetime.
Shakhtar's sporting director Dario Srna compared their relationship with FIFA to not being in a "more positive dialogue" they have with UEFA and president Aleksander Ceferin.
"FIFA did nothing for us. It's disrespectful. They have to protect the clubs, the players, football. We lost a lot of investment and players because of FIFA's unreasonable rules."
"They didn't give us any explanation. They are definitely there to help the players, help the club, and help football in Ukraine, not to destroy it. Mr. Ceferin is always there for us 24/7."
"He is very helpful and this is to be respected. UEFA is fighting for football. They destroyed the European Super League because it was fun to see when Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City, beat Inter Milan."
"This is an expression of football. Football is for everyone, not just for clubs who have money. However, FIFA doesn't care about that. They show the opposite."
"Ceferin calls me every day to help bring and take players out of Ukraine. He even called (French President Emmanuel) Macron for help. He doesn't behave like the UEFA president, he behaves like a human being," Srna told ESPN.