What happened
Youth players of the capital's football club “Lokomotiv”, whose sports complex was destroyed on 23 January 2024 during a Russian attack, personally handed a football to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The information was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, citing UNN.
“Today the pupils of Kyiv's football academy ‘Lokomotiv’ handed a football to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. These children want to play, live, dream without fear”
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Symbolism of the gesture and the main demand
The gifted ball is not a souvenir but a message: the children are asking for protection and a clear stance from international football institutions. In their appeal, the pupils emphasized the principles of fair play and directly linked them to the responsibility of competition organizers in the context of the ongoing aggression.
“Fair play is respect for opponents, the rules and all participants of competitions. Russia does not respect these rules. We ask you to support the children of Ukraine who want to play football and live without fear”
— pupils of FC “Lokomotiv”
Reaction and drama on the international stage
In public statements, the FIFA president has acknowledged a willingness to “discuss” the question of a possible return of Russian teams to international tournaments. Such words heighten the concerns of the Ukrainian side, which demands that sport not become an instrument for the rehabilitation of the aggressor.
“These children want to play, live, dream without fear”
— Glen Micallef, representative of the European Commission (according to the MFA)
Ukrainian football institutions and the MFA respond unanimously: the UAF (Ukrainian Association of Football) has called not to return Russia to competitions while the war continues, and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized the human losses — nearly 700 children who will no longer be able to play because of the hostilities. This strengthens Kyiv's argument against any hasty reintegration.
Context: sport, responsibility, reputation
The question is not only about spectacle or ratings. Global football bodies face a choice between pressure for apoliticism and the risk of sportswashing — the use of sport for the political and reputational rehabilitation of the aggressor state. The gesture of the children from Kyiv pushes this discussion into the realm of ethics and the safety of young athletes.
“A football can carry hope. This ball from Kyiv is about shared responsibility for the future of these children and all of Ukrainian sport”
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
What’s next
The fact of the ball's handover makes it clear: the matter is no longer only diplomatic but also public — it is a gesture that calls on FIFA to take into account the voices of children, national federations and partners. The next steps — will international institutions have the political will to defend principles of responsibility rather than rapid reintegration? The answer will affect not only the reputation of football but also the possibility of a safe childhood for Ukrainian athletes.
