FIFA president Gianni Infantino hoping to end Russia's ban

Gianni Infantino has again reiterated his desire to lift Russia's ban from international football, with the FIFA president claiming it has created 'more frustration and hatred'.

Russia's national side and club teams have been banned from both FIFA and UEFA competitions at all levels since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The sanction led to Russia's expulsion from qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Russia have since been excluded from the Euro 2024 and 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns, as well as major women's tournaments and youth level events.

In an interview with Sky News, Infantino has expressed a desire to lift Russia's ban and hopes to welcome the nation back in youth level competitions.

'We have to, definitely,' Infantino said when asked about potentially lifting the ban.

'Because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.'

He added: 'Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.'

It is not the first time Infantino has spoken in favour of Russia's potential return competitive action.

Last year, Infantino said he was 'cheering' for Russia's return as it would have meant the conflict had been resolved.

'We have always to try to use football to bring people together, to bring countries together, especially in our world which is divided,' Infantino had said at UEFA's Congress in Belgrade last April.

'As talks are going on for peace in Ukraine, I hope we can soon move to the next stage and bring back Russia in the football landscape, because this would mean everything is solved.

'That is what we have to cheer for, that is what we have to pray for, because that is what football is about.'

The FIFA president's latest comments comes ahead of a UEFA Executive Committee meeting later this month, with European football's governing body having the ability to oversee the nation's return to competitions.

UEFA had previously attempted to reintroduce Russia into under-17 competitions in 2023, but scrapped their plans following a backlash.

Russia have continued to play international matches with multiple friendlies having been arranged involving both their men's and women's teams since their sanction was imposed in 2022.