Source: Politics<\/p>\n
This week, members of the European Parliament issued two sharp rebukes of FIFA over its decision to allow Russians to participate in the U-15 World Cup<\/a> in October and President Gianni Infantino’s relationship with U.S. leader Donald Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n In letters published Monday and Wednesday, 90 MEPs pressed FIFA over actions they said undermine the world football governing body\u2019s political neutrality.<\/p>\n POLITICO sat down with the author of Wednesday’s letter, Lithuanian MEP Petras Au\u0161trevi\u010dius from the liberal Renew group, to discuss how the European Parliament is taking a stand against FIFA.<\/p>\n FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Au\u0161trevi\u010dius\u2019 criticism.<\/p>\n The interview has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n Tell us why you wrote that letter condemning FIFA for allowing Russia to return to the U-15 World Cup.<\/p>\n The letter came as a reaction to FIFA’s decision to open up the gates for the Russian U-15 team for the World Cup in October. To my mind, it’s completely based on moral and political blindness. This period of time is absolutely wrong to send this kind of sport-based but politics-based signal to Russia. Imagine some national teams refusing to play against Russians will face disqualification, which is completely wrong and it will lead to unfair sport competitions. It’s not the first time FIFA disappoints sport supporters and the wider public in this regard.<\/p>\n