Russia says it will not allow a senior FIFA official to enter the country because he is blacklisted for his former role as a U.S. federal prosecutor.
In a statement on October 4, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Michael Garcia, chairman of the world soccer’s governing body's ethics commission, is on an official blacklist for his involvement in the sentencing of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Bout was sentenced by a U.S. court to 25 years in prison last year.
Garcia was among those responsible for bringing charges against Bout, who Moscow says has been sentenced unfairly.
Russia banned entry to 18 U.S. citizens this year for alleged human rights violations.
The list was seen as a response to U.S. sanctions against 18 Russians accused of involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and other rights violations.
In a statement on October 4, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Michael Garcia, chairman of the world soccer’s governing body's ethics commission, is on an official blacklist for his involvement in the sentencing of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Bout was sentenced by a U.S. court to 25 years in prison last year.
Garcia was among those responsible for bringing charges against Bout, who Moscow says has been sentenced unfairly.
Russia banned entry to 18 U.S. citizens this year for alleged human rights violations.
The list was seen as a response to U.S. sanctions against 18 Russians accused of involvement in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and other rights violations.
