According to reports from BBC sports, a political slogan which was displayed on Ukraine’s Euro kit, has been ordered to be removed by UEFA. This comes after Russians protested against it.
The shirt, containing a map showing Russian-annexed Crimea as part of Ukraine also included the phrase “Glory to the heroes”.
European football’s governing body had previously approved the kit.
However, they now say the combination of the map and wordings inside the shirt clearly has “historic and militaristic significance” So has ordered it be removed.
Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and considers it a part of its territory, something rejected internationally.
A Russian MP called it a “political provocation” after Ukraine unveiled its shirt for Euro 2020, emblazoned with its borders including Crimea and the slogan “Glory to Ukraine.
In a statement to the BBC, European football’s governing body Uefa said: “The shirt of the Ukrainian national team (and of all other teams) for Uefa Euro 2020 has been approved by Uefa, in accordance with the applicable equipment regulations.”
“We believe that Ukraine’s silhouette will give strength to the players because they will fight for all of Ukraine,” head of Ukraine’s footballing association Mr Pavelko said.
Ukraine’s Captain Alex Zinchenko wearing new kit
The US embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tweeted “love the new look”, with a photo of the new kit. But Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticised the kits ”the slogan was nationalistic and echoed a Nazi rallying cry.” She said.
Russian MP Dmitry Svishchev called the shirt “totally inappropriate” and urged Uefa to take action.
Meanwhile the tournament which was postponed due to Covid-19, will run from 11 June to 11 July across 11 host cities, including Russia’s Saint Petersburg, which hosts a quarter-final.
Ukraine played in their new kits in a friendly against Cyprus, with Ukraine recording a 4:0 win. Ukraine will leave Kharkiv today afternoon and arrive at their Bucharest Euro GS base in the evening!
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