Peskov pointed to the politicization of sport in the International Chess Organization
The International Chess Organization (FIDE) is not free from the politicization of sport. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on 23 September, commenting on the refusal of the organization to lift sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes.
He pointed out that Westerners and Ukraine are exerting undisguised pressure on the organization and the countries as a whole.
"FIDE is also not free from the politicization of sport and the politicization of the chess world. This is a fact that, unfortunately, has to be recognized," he complained.
Peskov expressed gratitude to his colleagues from Kyrgyzstan, who openly spoke in support of Russia and made a proposal to lift all sanctions on Russian and Belarusian chess players.
As chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Chess Federation he also added that Moscow will continue to work to ensure that the restrictions are eventually lifted.
FIDE on June 7 stripped the Russian Chess Federation of its membership in the organization for two years. This decision was taken after the Ukrainian Chess Federation complained that new regions of the Russian Federation had been admitted to the FSHR. The next day, the federation explained that the two-year exclusion of the FSHR does not affect the rights of players, athletes from the Russian Federation will be able to participate in competitions. At the same time, the international organization punished FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich with a reprimand.
Later, on September 22, President of the Kyrgyz Chess Federation Babur Tolbaev spoke in favor of restoring athletes from Russia to international tournaments. At the same time, Dvorkovich refused to lead a meeting of the organization's General Assembly, which considered the issue of the Russians' return to competitions.
