Defender recorded clip with former team-mate Ognjen Vukojevic and insisted at time, 'I like Russian people, it was just a joke'
CROATIA quarter-final hero Domogaj Vida has escaped a World Cup semi-final ban threat.
Vida and Croatian scout Ognjen Vukojevic filmed themselves celebrating the shootout victory over the hosts in the dressing room in Sochi.
In the video, posted on YouTube, pony-tailed Besiktas stopper Vida shouts out “Glory to Ukraine”, which is the chant of the Ukrainian army and the nationalist cause that is opposed to Russian territorial claims on the country.
Vukojevic, who earned 55 caps as a defensive midfielder before ending his international career after the 2014 World Cup, then bellowed: “This victory is for Dynamo (Kiev) and for Ukraine.”
The video has caused outrage in Russia, with TV networks showing the pictures and clearly furious.
FIfa launched an investigation after being alerted to the footage.
According to Fifa’s disciplinary code outlaws political slogans while Section 54 states that: “Anyone who provokes the general public during a match will be suspended for two matches and sanctioned with a minimum fine of CHF 5,000 (£3,800).”
But this afternoon a Fifa spokesperson confirmed Vida’s let-off.
Fifa said: “We can confirm that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has sent a warning to the player Domagoj Vida due to his video statement following the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Russia and Croatia.”
At least Fifa did seem to have been consistent.
Swiss trio Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner were only fined for their “Albanian Eagle” goal celebrations in the win over Serbia.
Vida had appeared to recognise the potential problem as he attempted to laugh off the footage.
He said: "This victory is for Croatia. No politics.
"It's a joke. I've got friends there since I joined Dynamo Kyiv, I didn't mean anything else.
"I don’t why Russian fans might not get it. I like Russian people. It was just a joke."
And in a statement, he added: "It was definitely no political message, but a simple thank you for all the support from Ukraine, where Vukojevic and I spent a number of years.
"Our intention was not to offend anyone. Throughout my career, I have had teammates from many countries and I respect them all, and just as I have many friends in Ukraine, I have a number of them in Russia - and I am proud of all of them."
Fifa did seem to have been consistent. Swiss trio Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner were only fined for their “Albanian Eagle” goal celebrations in the win over Serbia.
