Shevchenko invites Infantino and Čeferin to Ukraine as Russia stance holds
Ukrainian FA president Andriy Shevchenko has invited FIFA and UEFA’s leaders to visit Ukraine while reiterating his opposition to Russia’s return to international football.
Ukrainian Football Association president Andriy Shevchenko has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin to visit Ukraine, while restating that Ukraine does not want Russia readmitted to international competitions.The intervention keeps the Russia eligibility issue active at the top table and raises the stakes for football’s governing bodies as they manage political risk, partner expectations and competition integrity across UEFA and FIFA properties.Shevchenko made the comments in an interview published on April 18, saying the invitation was part of Ukraine’s approach to engagement while drawing a clear line on Russia’s status.Shevchenko said: “Look, we’re inviting you. It could happen. We, Ukraine, must be open to everyone. Our policy is to be open. There are certain things, as you know, that we speak out against, that much is clear.”He said Ukraine’s position on Russia had not changed and linked ongoing dialogue with FIFA and UEFA to the need for senior decision-makers to see conditions in the country first-hand.Shevchenko said: “We have our policy regarding Russia and their admission, and we have never hidden it. My personal position, as it was, remains the same: we do not want Russia to be allowed into football. "But the fact that they are coming shows that we have communication and relations, and I am happy to invite Infantino and Čeferin to come to Ukraine.”Russia’s national teams and clubs have been barred from FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022, removing Russian inventory from international calendars and reshaping commercial planning for broadcasters, sponsors and host venues.Any move to revisit that status would carry material implications for rights cycles, match scheduling and brand safety, given the sensitivity among national associations, governments and stakeholder groups.Shevchenko’s comments also underline the growing role of federation leaders in shaping the wider policy narrative around eligibility and access, rather than leaving it solely to political actors.The Ukrainian FA has repeatedly argued that sporting reintegration cannot be separated from the wider context of the war, and it has signalled it will challenge any steps towards readmission through governance and legal channels.FIFA and UEFA have both faced periodic pressure from parts of the football ecosystem to explore return pathways for Russian participation, particularly in youth or neutral-venue formats.Those discussions have tended to trigger strong opposition from Ukraine and several allied associations, creating a recurring flashpoint for governing bodies trying to balance unity, regulatory exposure and commercial stability.Shevchenko’s invitation functions as a reputational and accountability lever, positioning an in-country visit as a baseline for informed decision-making while FIFA and UEFA manage competing demands across their membership.The episode is likely to sharpen internal governance focus ahead of major calendar milestones, with the Russia question remaining a live variable in European competition planning and FIFA’s broader member relations.