FIFA probes Croatian player’s “Glory to Ukraine” video
Soccer’s world governing body said on July 8 that it was investigating a video featuring a Croatian player’s praise of Ukraine after his team knocked host Russia out of the World Cup.
The video posted online after Croatia’s July 7 quarterfinal victory in Moscow shows Croatia defender Domagoj Vida shouting “Glory to Ukraine” (Slava Ukraini), while assistant coach Ognjen Vukojevic follows up by saying, “this win is for Dynamo and Ukraine… go Croatia.”
Vida, who scored a goal in extra time and a penalty in the 4-3 shoot-out win that vaulted Croatia into the semifinals, could face disciplinary from FIFA, which can issue fines or suspensions against players for political actions at the World Cup.
“FIFA is processing the different reports of the said match as well as potential evidence concerning the matter referred to in your message,” FIFA told the Associated Press in response to a question about the video. “Please understand, until we have evaluated all information available, we cannot comment further.”
Many Ukrainians and Kremlin critics have slammed FIFA’s staging of soccer’s World Cup in Russia and say the tournament serves to whitewash Moscow’s human rights record and aggression in Ukraine.
Vida and Vukojevic previously played together at Dynamo Kyiv. Vida was quoted by the Russian newspaper Sport Express as saying that the video was intended to be a personal message. “There’s no politics in football. It’s a joke for my friends from Dynamo Kyiv,” the newspaper quoted him as saying. “I love Russians and I love Ukrainians.”
Russian state media ran reports about the video, which also drew fire from Russian officials. “Such actions should be punished,” Dmitry Svishchyov, a member of Russia’s lower house of Parliament, the Duma, was quoted by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency as saying. “Political, nationalist and racist slogans are not welcome at the World Cup,” he added. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP, AFP and DPA)
FIFA warns Croatian player over “Glory to Ukraine” comment
FIFA on July 8 issued a formal warning to a Croatian player over his praise of Ukraine after his team knocked host Russia out of the World Cup. However, FIFA said the decision would not prevent Croatian defender Domagoj Vida from playing in his team’s semifinal match-up against England on July 11 in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
“We can confirm that FIFA’s disciplinary committee has sent a warning to the player Domagoj Vida due to his video statement following the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Russia and Croatia,” FIFA said in a statement to the AP. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP, AFP and DPA)
Ukrainian Football Federation: Vida has right to express respect for Ukraine
The president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, Andriy Pavelko, on July 9 commented on a video message to Ukrainian fans by Croatian defender Domagoj Vida recorded following his team’s victory over Russia where the player chanted “Glory to Ukraine!”
“The Football Federation of Ukraine and I personally took a tough stance in the situation around the Croatian national team player Domagoj Vida after the team’s victory in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals: with his brilliant game and fighting qualities, Vida, just like the whole Croatian team, deserved to participate in the tournament’s semifinals! A football player who has defended the honor of Dynamo [Kyiv] for many years and lived in the capital of Ukraine in a very difficult time for our country, has many friends and fans there who deserved that part of this victory be devoted to them,” Mr. Pavelko said.
He explained that over the past few years, the expression “Glory to Ukraine” has become for Ukraine’s citizens a symbol of patriotism. “And it is natural that a person to whom our country has given a lot treats it, and its citizens, with great respect,” Mr. Pavelko stressed. “He has the right to publicly express respect for Ukraine and its citizens.” (UNIAN)
Croatia fires coaching assistant, while FIFA announces fine
Croatia’s soccer federation announced on July 9 that it was firing assistant coach Ognjen Vukojevic for his role in a video released after the team’s World Cup victory over Russia.
“The Croatian Football Federation apologizes to the Russian public for the actions of a member of the Croatian delegation,” it said. “Ognjen Vukojević and Domagoj Vida likewise apologize for their statements, which were in no way intended to have political connotations, yet which unfortunately left room for such interpretations.”
Some Russian politicians asserted the saying “Glory to Ukraine” was a nationalist slogan, and thus violated FIFA rules. FIFA later announced a $15,000 fine against Vukojevic. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Reuters)
Ukraine offers to pay fine for Croatian soccer staffer
Ukraine’s soccer federation has offered to pay the $15,000 fine imposed by FIFA on Ognjen Vukojevic, a member of Croatia’s coaching staff for his role in a video made after Croatia’s defeat of Russia in the World Cup.
Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, told broadcaster 112 on July 10 that the federation’s management had offered to pay the fine. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by AP)