The European association UEFA has made a decision about the shirt with which Ukraine would participate in the upcoming European Championship. Russia had filed a complaint against this, because the shirt bears the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia and patriotic slogans. One slogan must disappear, the map must not.
The Ukrainian shirts show the map of Ukraine, including Crimea and areas in the east controlled by pro-Russian separatists. The map does match the internationally recognized borders of the country, UEFA reports.
Also the slogans “Glory to Ukraine!” and “Glory to the Heroes!” are on the shirts. They refer to a patriotic song during the Maidan Revolution of 2014, which forced Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych to flee.
The slogan “Glory to the Heroes!” is considered “clearly political” by UEFA “after a thorough analysis”. UEFA therefore wants the slogan to be removed from the shirt.
Russia is happy
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already said it is satisfied with the decision. “Be sporting heroes and you will have glory. It is this way and not with nationalist slogans that you will honor the fatherland,” said spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Ukraine is not quite happy as it is negotiating with UEFA to keep the original. Because that was initially approved.
Ukraine is placed in group C at the European Championship, together with the Netherlands, Austria and North Macedonia. The Ukrainians open on Sunday with a game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
