Former UEFA president Michel Platini has urged Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine.
But FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who accepted the Order of Friendship from Putin in 2019, is yet to break his silence on the conflict.
Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday, triggering a violent war in Europe.
Platini, who was president of UEFA between 2006 and 2015, is currently serving an eight-year ban after being found guilty of ethics violations by FIFA in December 2015.
Despite this, the ex-midfielder still has significant influence in football following his glittering playing career - winning the Euros, European Cup, and the Ballon d'Or award three times.
And Platini hopes he can persuade Putin to end Russia's involvement in the bloody conflict following his public appeal.
"I wanted to tell all my Ukrainian friends, all these great women and men that I have met in my career as a footballer and manager, how much I am at their side with my heart and my thoughts in these hours of suffering and horror," said Platini.
"I admire their courage and their unity. They are an example for the rest of the world, and for each of us, of the universal fight for freedom.
"I call on the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, with whom I have often discussed football and sport, to immediately stop the shooting and bombing of Ukraine, to put an end to this aggression in order to initiate a real diplomatic dialogue without delay in favour of peace.
"No war is fair. Human life is priceless."
Platini's words may have an impact on Putin, as the former UEFA president supported Russia hosting the World Cup in 2018.
Many criticised the decision to award Russia the tournament and Qatar the following edition - set to be held this November - due to their poor human rights records.
"When we talk about Russia, my answer is this: there is a German embassy there - Lufthansa flies to Moscow - but it's not allowed to host the World Cup?" Platini told German outlet Welt in 2014.
"I don't understand that. Politicians always look for the easy route.
"I am completely happy that I have given my vote to Qatar. That was my decision alone.
"In Qatar, and Russia, I opted for two countries that have never hosted a World Cup. It was the right decision for the development of football."
Infantino, meanwhile, hasn't publicly criticised Putin for Russia's aggression.
FIFA initially refused to ban Russia from competing at the World Cup, ordering them to play as the "Football Union of Russia" without a national flag.
This move was widely condemned by the football community and FIFA were quickly forced to ban Russia from all competitions until further notice.
"His [Infantino's] relationship with Russia is obviously a close one, as you can see," former FA chairman David Bernstein told the BBC on Tuesday morning.
"The relationship is just too close. I think their reaction has done a great deal of damage to FIFA in particular, and not much credit to football generally."
