Western leaders ignored Ukraine's call for a boycott of the World Cup in Russia, and FIFA demonstrated its corruption by condemning a Croatian football player for the nationalist cry "Glory to Ukraine."
Verkhovna Rada deputy Anna Gopko, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated this on air on the ZIK TV channel.
“Putin understands only the language of force, and he really used the football championship in order to once again create a loyal attitude towards himself. It’s sad that some of the world leaders are too fascinated by football instead of, firstly, not going there, and, secondly, if they go, then very firmly support the Ukrainian initiative to release our political prisoners or wear a T-shirt.
But we saw a backlash and the absolute corruption of FIFA after one of the Croatian football players said: “Glory to Ukraine,” Gopko laments.