FIFA did not want to show Zelenskyj speech
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to speak to the fans in the stadium in Qatar via video before kick-off – but FIFA was against it.
Reason: no place for political messages at the World Cup. Hypocritical – because political messages were shown and broadcast in Qatar – but only those that suited the Qatari rulers.
For example, the Moroccan national team showed the Palestine flag on the field without anyone taking action – clearly a political symbol. The much smaller rainbow armband, on the other hand, with which the captains of several European teams like Germany wanted to play, was strictly banned by Fifa under threat of penalties. There were also massive restrictions for Iranian freedom fighters who wanted to send a signal against their Islamist regime in Qatar. Fans were harassed, players put under pressure.
Zelenskyj says in the hooded sweater with the inscription “I am Ukrainian”:
“Greetings from Ukraine to all football fans! I congratulate the whole planet for the World Cup final.
Today we will celebrate a common victory: the celebration of the human spirit. This World Cup proved once again that different countries and nationalities can decide who is the strongest – but in fair play and not playing with fire. On the green playing field, not on the red battlefield.
This is the dream of so many people: when players compete against each other in the enjoyment of peace. Every father in the world wants to take his son to a football game, and every mother wants her son to come home safely from the war.
We Ukrainians strive for peace more than anything else. We offer the world a peace formula. We offer them because there are no champions in war. There can also be no draw.
Therefore, I am announcing an initiative for a Global Peace Formula Summit this winter. A summit to unite all the nations of the world in the cause of global peace.
Stadiums and stands are empty after the game. And after the war, the cities remain empty. That is why wars must fail and peace must triumph. Just like the World Cup is being held in Qatar now, but not the World War.
It is possible. Please support Ukraine and our efforts to restore peace. Join the Global Peace Formula Summit and become a supporter of peace.
Let’s witness the World Cup final together, but also the end of the war. Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine) and have a nice day to Qatar.”
