FIFA has confirmed that it’s investigating Croatia defender Domagoj Vida’s pro-Ukraine comments after Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal victory over hosts Russia.
Besiktas centre-back Vida, 29, and his former Dynamo Kiev and international teammate Ognjen Vukojevic recorded a video message following the victory in Sochi.
In the video, posted on Facebook by Ukrainian journalist Andrey Shakhov, Vida said: “Glory to Ukraine.” The phrase has become a slogan for Ukrainian anti-Russian nationalists following the latter’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Vukojevic, who now works as a scout at Dynamo but is with his national team for their World Cup campaign, added: “This victory is for Dinamo and Ukraine.”
The video went viral in Russia, prompting a hostile reaction. Later on Saturday night, anti-Croatian chants were heard in the centre of Moscow.
