Infantino told the G20 summit of Indonesia’s leading economies that the World Cup provided a “unique platform” for peace and unity as the event would be watched by around five billion people on television.
“So my request is to all of you to continue the temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the World Cup,” he said at a lunch with G20 leaders on the Indonesian island of Bali.
As an alternative, he suggested some humanitarian corridors “or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue” as a first step towards peace.
“You are world leaders, you have the ability to influence the course of history,” he added.
The World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Sunday amid widespread criticism of the country’s human rights record, particularly for the workers who built the stadiums.
On the other hand, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, asked governments to send athletes to international events based on their sporting merits, not on the basis of political affiliations.
“International sports will be broken if participation is decided on political grounds.
“We need the participation of all athletes who accept the rules, especially if their countries are in confrontation,” Bach said at the same rally in Bali.
Several international sports organizations have imposed sanctions on Russia and its athletes after the invasion of Ukraine.
IN
