World Cup 2018: FIFA warns Croatia's Vida over political gimmick
FIFA warned Croatia's Domagoj Vida after a video showed him praising Ukraine after his side’s victory over Russia in the quarter-finals.
In Short
- Domagoj Vida was seen praising Ukraine in a video
- Vida was caught shouting 'glory to Ukraine' in a video
- The video led to criticism from Russian politicians as the World Cup hosts share a sour relationship with Ukraine
FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has warned Croatia defender Domagoj Vida over a video that shows him praising Ukraine after his side's victory over Russia in the quarter-finals.
Vida scored an extra-time goal and then took a successful spot kick in the shootout as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 on penalties.
In the video posted by former Croatian footballer Ognjen Vukojevic, Vida could be seen shouting "glory to Ukraine."
The video led to criticism from Russian politicians as relations between Ukraine and World Cup hosts Russia remain fraught after Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and its backing for a pro-Russian uprising in the east of the country.
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The 29-year-old Vida previously played for Ukrainian club Dynamo Kiev along with Croatian coaching staff member Vukojevic.
"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.
Vida, however, on Sunday said the video was not a political message.
"I regret that some media representatives have interpreted our communication in such a manner. It was definitely no political message, but a simple thank you for all the support from Ukraine, where Vukojevic and I spent a number of years," Vida said in a statement released by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).
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"Our intention was not to offend anyone. Throughout my career, I have had team mates from many countries and I respect them all, and just as I have many friends in Ukraine, I have a number of them in Russia - and I am proud of all of them.
"I sincerely hope that this message will not be understood as anything else but an expression of gratitude to our friends in Ukraine for their support - not in the match against Russia, but during the entire World Cup," Vida added.
The HNS said it had asked Vida and Vukojevic and all the Croatia players "to refrain from any messages that could be politically interpreted in the future".
Croatia face England in the semi-finals in Moscow on Wednesday.
(With Reuters inputs)