FIFA World Cup 2018: Croatia sacks coaching staff member Ognjen Vukojevic over 'Glory to Ukraine' video

Croatia's Ognjen Vukojevic listens to the national anthem before their international friendly soccer match against Mali at Gradski Vrt Stadium in Osijek May 31, 2014. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

ZAGREB: Croatia’s Football Federation (HNS) sacked Ognjen Vukojevic, a member of the national team’s coaching staff, over a “glory to Ukraine” video posted after Croatia beat Russia in the World Cup quarter-finals, HNS said in a statement on Monday.

Vukojevic and Croatia defender Domagoj Vida published the video on social media after the match on Saturday in a move which was criticized by Russian politicians and led to a warning from FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

Relations between Ukraine and World Cup hosts Russia remain fraught after the latter’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and its backing for a pro-Russian uprising in the east of the country.

HNS said it had revoked Vukojevic’s accreditation at the World Cup and relieved him of his duties as an observer for the Croatia squad.

“HNS hereby apologizes to the Russian public for the actions of a member of the Croatian delegation,” it said.

HNS said Vukojevic and Vida apologized for their statements, saying they were not intended to be political messages but “unfortunately left room for such interpretations”.

Both Vukojevic and the 29-year-old Vida previously played for Ukrainian club Dynamo Kiev.

Croatia face England in the World Cup semi-finals in Moscow on Wednesday.

Questions on the subject were not allowed when Croatia players Mario Mandzukic and Andrej Kramaric spoke at a news conference in Moscow later on Monday.

“We have been quite clear on the matter, that is the position of the federation and we don’t need to ask the players,” a Croatia team spokesman said.