FIFA has rejected a request from Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky to send a peace message ahead of the World Cup final.
Argentina and France lock horns on Sunday, with Les Bleus participating in their second consecutive final.
Messages and banners of support for Ukraine have been visible at showpiece events ever since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
Ahead of the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino asked for a ceasefire in Ukraine for the duration of the World Cup.
Zelensky has since had his say ahead of the Sunday’s showpiece event at Lusail Stadium.
According to CNN, talks between FIFA and Ukraine remain ongoing.
The report claims Zelensky was ready to appear via video link at the stadium in Qatar, only for the approach to be ‘rebuffed’.
It has been nine months since Russia were kicked out of the World Cup, before the UEFA play-off matches were due to take place.
Poland took the place of Russia, and Ukraine’s matches were also delayed due to the ongoing war.
Zelensky was hopeful he would be granted the opportunity to appear on screen ahead of Argentina’s clash with France.
The World Cup final will be broadcast to hundreds of millions around the world, and it would have presented a perfect opportunity for Zelensky’s message.
FIFA has effectively placed a blanket ban on political and social campaigning in Qatar.
The governing body previously received plenty of criticism after banning seven European nations’ captains from wearing a ‘OneLove’ armband in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
At a news conference Friday, Infantino said FIFA 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,” Infantino said.
“We are defending values, we are defending human rights and 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.”
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