European soccer governing body Uefa told Ukraine on Thursday it could keep a map showing Crimea on its new national shirt despite objections from Russia but must remove the phrase “Glory to the heroes” due to military connotations. Ukraine’s kit, due to feature in the European Championship, has stirred rivalries with Moscow because it includes an outline map showing the peninsula of Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014 but remains internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. A slogan at the back reads “Glory to Ukraine” while inside the shirt are the words: “Glory to the heroes”— a military greeting in Ukraine. Uefa said the map was not a concern given it reflected UN-recognised borders, nor was the phrase “Glory to Ukraine”. “Sports is not a battlefield, but a place for competition; it is not a political arena but an athletic one.

Source: The Star June 10, 2021 21:11 UTC