DUBAI: FIFA has reportedly rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to deliver a peace message ahead of the World Cup final in Qatar on Sunday.
Zelensky’s office was said to have offered for him to appear in a video link to fans in the stadium ahead of the match, but was surprised by the negative response, a source told CNN.
No clarifications were made as to whether Zelensky’s message would be live or taped.
“We thought FIFA wanted to use its platform for the greater good,” a CNN exclusive said.
Talks between Ukraine and the football governing body are still underway, added the source.
It is understood that no immediate response could be obtained from FIFA despite being asked to a comment.
Ukraine has repeatedly tried to use major world events, regardless of their theme, to keep the global spotlight on the invasion launched by Russia earlier this year.
Zelensky has appeared via video at everything from the G20 Summit to the Grammys and the Cannes Film Festival. He has also done interviews with a wide array of journalists and famous faces, including Sean Penn and David Letterman, employing the charm and media savvy he developed in the entertainment industry — he was an actor before becoming a politician — to rally international support for Kyiv.
Meanwhile, FIFA has gone to extreme lengths to keep political messaging out of the Qatar World Cup, the first ever to be hosted by a Middle Eastern nation.
Addressing a news conference on Friday, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said the sport’s governing body had stopped some “political statements” in Qatar because it has to “take care” of everyone.
“We are a global organization and we don’t discriminate against anyone,” he said.
“We are defending values, we are defending rights of everyone at the World Cup. Those fans and the billions watching on TV, they have their own problems. They just want to watch 90 or 120 minutes without having to think about anything, but just enjoying a little moment of pleasure and joy. We have to give them a moment when they can forget about their problems and enjoy football,” concluded Infantino.
FIFA rejects Zelensky’s request for peace message at World Cup final
https://arab.news/9q638
FIFA rejects Zelensky’s request for peace message at World Cup final
- Ukrainian president’s office surprised by negative response, source tells CNN
- No clarification as to whether Zelensky’s message would be live or taped
England comeback win against New Zealand gives Pakistan last shot at T20 World Cup semifinals
- Pakistan have to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase down the co-host in 13.1 overs
- England have already qualified but completed Super Eights three-for-three unbeaten
COLOMBO: New Zealand failed to clinch a Twenty20 World Cup semifinals place when it lost to England by four wickets on Friday, leaving Pakistan a last chance to qualify.
New Zealand looked set to join England in the semifinals when it reduced England to 117-6 in the 17th over in pursuit of 160. But big hits by Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed got England over the finish line with three balls remaining in a thriller.
“Would have made our lives easier if we won,” New Zealand captain Mitch Santner said. “We played a pretty good game. Credit to England. Jacks and Rehan with the finishing touches, it was a good bit of batting.”
The odds still favor New Zealand going through from the Super Eights but Pakistan has a last-ditch chance on Saturday against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
Pakistan has to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs or chase down the tournament co-host in 13.1 overs.
England had already qualified but completed the Super Eights three-for-three unbeaten.
That record was in jeopardy for much of the chase.
Phil Salt was out in the first over and fellow opener Jos Buttler for a two-ball duck in the second over. Buttler has only 62 runs in seven matches and his 10th career duck set the all-time record for England in T20s.
“He’s played 150 games for England,” captain Harry Brook said of Buttler, “and people need to take a little step back. He’s probably the best white-ball player to play the game. He’s in a rut but it’s exciting to know what he could produce in the next few games.”
Brook and Jacob Bethel were gone inside nine overs then Tom Banton and Sam Curran struggled to share 42 runs in 35 balls. England was left needing 43 runs off 19 deliveries with four wickets on a used pitch that was turning.
Ahmed replaced Jamie Overton because of the pitch and took 2-28, and he made his bat also count.
He sent the second ball he faced over the long-on fence as he and Jacks turned the game with 22 runs in the 18th over bowled by Glenn Phillips. They plundered 16 runs from the 19th bowled by Santner and cruised home.
Jacks was unbeaten on 32 including a six and four boundaries. Ahmed faced seven deliveries for 19 which included two sixes and a boundary.
“Having gone out on a knife edge I’m over the moon,” Jacks said after his fourth player of the match award in the tournament. “Rehan played a brilliant innings. Everyone struggled to get going on that pitch and the six he hit second ball got them rattled and I fed off him.
“Feel confident right now, calm in the middle. That can be vital. We’re going in the right direction, three wins in the Super Eight, we’re very happy.”
Santner chose to bat first, as both teams wanted, and his team made 159-7.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen opened with 64 in seven overs but they lost wickets frequently from then on. Phillips top-scored with 39. New Zealand scored only 24 runs in the last three overs.
Spinners Jacks, Adil Rashid and Ahmed took two wickets each.
