While Vida could have seen a two-game suspension and a fine, FIFA has decided to send the Croatian defender a warning for pro-Ukraine comments after Croatia's win over Russia.
Former Croatia national team footballer and member of Zlatko Dalić's coaching staff, Ognjen Vukojević, published a video on his Instagram account after Croatia’s victory over Russia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last night. Croatia defender Domagoj Vida joined Vukojević in the video, where they devoted the win to their former club Dynamo Kyiv and the state of Ukraine, reports Index.hr on July 8, 2018.
In the video, which was then posted to Facebook by Ukrainian journalist Andrey Shakhov, Vukojević can be heard saying, ”This is a victory for Ukraine and Dynamo," before Vida added, "Glory to Ukraine," a slogan used by Ukrainian anti-Russian nationalists.
Vukojević removed the controversial footage after a few minutes, but the Russians managed to snag it in time and publish it to various media channels. Vukojević and Vida’s reaction saw a brutal reaction from Russian media who considered it political provocation. Russia and Ukraine have been on poor terms since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The act of Vukojević and Vida received great criticism in Croatia as well, as FIFA has a zero-tolerance policy on political messages.
"FIFA is investigating various reports after the game, as well as potential evidence. Please be patient while we collect all of the information," said FIFA earlier today.
While Vida could have seen a two-game suspension and a fine of at least 5,000 Swiss francs (4,300 euro), the Croatian defender received only a warning.
Vida said that he did not intend to offend anyone and that it was a joke.
"This is a victory for Croatia, and the video with Vukojević was just a joke. I have many friends in Ukraine from when I played Kiev and I said that because of them. I do not know why the Russians are so angry about it, but I love them and again, I repeat, that everything was just a joke. I did not want to offend anyone,” said the Croatian hero from Sochi.
The video became viral after the game, resulting in an anti-Croatian mood in Moscow.
Когда узнали новость про Виду pic.twitter.com/2k173wai8U
— Филипп Папенков (@PippoGranato) July 8, 2018
