UEFA has told Ukraine that it must remove the slogan ‘Glory to Our Heroes’ from its EURO 2020 football shirt after a complaint from the Russian Football Union.
European football’s governing body announced the decision on Thursday, arguing that because the slogan was coupled with a map of Ukraine that includes Crimea, annexed in 2014 by Russia, and the slogan “Glory to Ukraine” it was an overtly political statement.
“This specific combination of the two slogans is deemed to be clearly political in nature, having historic and militaristic significance,” UEFA said in a statement to Euronews.
“This specific slogan on the inside of the shirt must therefore be removed for use in UEFA competition matches.”
Glory to Our Heroes was due to be displayed on the inside of the collar of the shirts worn by Ukraine players at the tournament, which starts on Friday.
Ukraine’s football association later told AFP that it was negotiating with UEFA to keep the slogan on the shirt.
Crimea
Glory to Ukraine is due to appear on the outside of the shirt and “may be considered as a generic and non-political phrase of general national significance and therefore may be used on the national team shirt,” UEFA said.
Russia’s complaint that the map of Ukraine includes Crimea was not upheld by UEFA because the international community does not recognise Moscow’s annexation of the territory.
Ukraine is not due to play Russia in the group stages of the tournament. But they could meet later if both teams progress.
