Dario Srna: Russians should not play in European competitions while the war continues
Shakhtar’s sporting director invited Gianni Infantino to Ukraine and said FIFA has done nothing for Ukrainian clubs since the war began.
On 3 November 2026 Dario Srna, sporting director of Shakhtar Donetsk and former Croatian international, sharply criticized FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino and said he does not see a place for Russian clubs in UEFA competitions while the war continues.
Srna invited Infantino to visit Ukraine to witness the conditions in which clubs there operate and stressed that, in his view, FIFA has done nothing to help Ukrainian teams since the conflict began. He also contrasted Infantino with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, whom he praised for protecting clubs' interests.
Srna did not hide his frustration with football’s governing body: "FIFA is a business," he said, using the phrase as the opener of a presentation in which he compared Infantino and the head of UEFA.
No respect until Infantino visits, Srna says
Addressing Infantino directly, Srna issued a blunt verdict: "Until then, I have no respect for him or anyone at FIFA." He repeated his invitation for the FIFA chief to come to Ukraine and see first-hand what the clubs there are dealing with.
On the question of Russian clubs returning to European competitions, Srna was categorical. "I think it is impossible while Ceferin is president. I think, how could it be? How is it possible for a Russian team to come to England to play? Can you even imagine that? Or in Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy… It is impossible. They live in their own world and are not welcome in Europe. Chaos would be created if Zenit came to Stamford Bridge to play against Chelsea. I do not believe Russian clubs should be allowed to return as long as the war continues," he said, also expressing disappointment that Russian youngsters will take part in an under-15 World Cup.
Srna’s comments come from someone whose club has not played in Donetsk since 2014; Shakhtar have previously played Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge. As sporting director and former player, Srna’s intervention adds pressure to the debate over the role of Russian teams in European football while the conflict endures.
Photo: press material from the event
