FIFA President Gianni Infantino have called on nations especially those who would attend the world cup in Qatar to put thier differences aside to make the competition a peaceful one. This was of course prompted by the ongoing onslaught of Russia and Ukraine war and the protests of the LGBTQ+ crowd who wants equality and proper treatment as they stay at Qatar.
Infantino who became Fifa president in sees the world cup as an opportunity to call for peace. He had this to say in Bali to the leaders who were present there.
“Football is a force for good, of course we are not naive to believe that football will solve the world’s problems, at least you are there.”
“We know that our main focus as a sports organization is and should be sports but because football unites the world, this particular world cup with 5 billion watching it can be a trigger for a positive gesture for a sign or a message of hope.”
“The leaders, Russia hosted the last world cup in 2018, Ukraine is bidding to host the world cup in 2030. Maybe that the current World Cup starting in 5 days can really be that positive trigger, so my plea to all of you is to think around temporary cease-fire for one month of 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.”
“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 putting an end to all conflicts.”
