Croatia defender Vida escapes FIFA sanctions for yelling 'Glory to Ukraine'

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has ruled that Croatian defender Domagoj Vida would not be sanctioned following the investigation of the second video, in which he is seen holding what looks like a bottle of beer and yelling "Glory to Ukraine!" and ""Burn, Belgrade" in Croatian.

Last week, social media saw Vida chanting "Glory to Ukraine!" together with former Croatia national team member Ognjen Vukojevic saying "This is a victory for Dynamo Kiev and Ukraine!" in the wake of Croatia's hard-earned victory against hosts Russia in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, reports Sputnik news agency.

After the video went viral on Instagram, Vida told reporters that he didn't intend to "draw politics into sport", and that it was a "joke".

Upon learning about the footage, FIFA launched an investigation, with the Disciplinary Committee issuing a warning to Vida, who eventually escaped a ban from the World Cup semi-finals.

"After thoroughly analyzing the second video of the Croatian player Domagoj Vida that appeared in the media and having considered the player's submission, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ascertained that it was recorded before the initial sanction imposed in Vida and has concluded that no additional infringement of the FIFA regulations has been committed," FIFA said in a statement, tweeted by BBC journalist Richard Conway.

Following a massive backlash, boos and whistles from fans during the game with England, Vida apologized for the clip, admitting that he had made a "mistake".

Vukojevic was suspended from his duties as assistant coach by the Croatian Football Federation and slapped with a $15,000 fine from FIFA.

--IANS

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