Russia outraged by Ukraine soccer jersey including Crimea
Russians are nyet feeling Ukraine’s new soccer jerseys.
A new design unveiled Sunday nearly set off an international incident because of a map of Ukraine that includes Crimea – an area the Kremlin views as part of Russia.
Critics have bashed the map and two military slogans printed on the yellow jersey they say emulate the Nazis.
“It is ugly,” politician Nikolai Valuev said of the design, which he told Russian sports site Championat was an attempt to politicize sports, according to NBC News.
Including what Russia believes is its territory on the map was “illegal” and a “political provocation,” said Russian parliamentarian Dmitry Svishchev, according to Reuters.
The jersey has the phrase “Glory to Ukraine!” on the back and the slogan “Glory to the Heroes!” inside – which Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Facebook was nationalistic and copied a Nazi call.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is still considered part of Ukraine internationally.
Andrii Pavelko, head of the Football Association of Ukraine, seemed to troll Moscow in a Facebook post unveiling the new design ahead of soccer’s upcoming European Championship.
“We believe that the silhouette of Ukraine will add strength to the players, because they will fight for all Ukraine,” he wrote.
“And all Ukraine, from Sevastopol and Simferopol to Kiev, from Donetsk and Lugansk to Uzhgorod will support them in every match.”
Sevastopol, Simferopol, Donetsk and Lugansk are under Russian control or run by Moscow-backed separatists, The Guardian noted.
The jersey does have its fans though – including the US Embassy Kiev.
“Love the new look. Glory to Ukraine! #CrimeaisUkraine,” it wrote on Twitter.
“I really like our team’s new uniform,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter, according to a Reuters translation.
“I can tell those who are fussing because they can’t stand our internationally recognized borders or our official state greeting: We will not allow our national symbols to be insulted!”
Ukraine plays its first game in the competition June 13.
With Post wires.