Infantino says Qatar World Cup chance for Russia-Ukraine ‘cease-fire’

World football boss, Gianni Infantino, said, yesterday, that the World Cup could be a “unique platform” for a “temporary cease-fire” between Russia and Ukraine, writes politico.eu.

The FIFA president made the contentious remarks at the G20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia, ahead of the football tournament, which starts on Sunday in Qatar.

“My plea to all of you is to think on a temporary cease-fire, for one month, for the duration of the World Cup — or at least the implementation of some humanitarian corridors or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace,” he said.

Infantino went on: “You are the world leaders. You have the ability to influence the course of history. Football and the World Cup are offering you and the world a unique platform of unity and peace all over the world. So let’s take this opportunity to do everything we can to start putting an end to all conflicts.”

Dialing in to the summit hours earlier, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called on G20 leaders not to offer his country any peace deal that would compromise its independence from Russia.