Ukrainian goalkeeper Mikhail Gotra has apologised
after having his contract with FC Karpaty terminated
for cheering on Russia on his Instagram page.
Gotra, 18, posted a Russia flag, accompanied by
the word "bravo!" and a photoshopped image of
himself with a moustache, contributing to a viral
campaign originated in Russia in support of the
national head coach Stanislav Cherchesov.

"I've been giving my all to sports all my conscious
life," Gotra said in a post on Instagram. "I've always
stayed away from politics and I didn't even think
my emotional act would make big news, which
would stir up not just our country but also
neighbouring countries.

"I've always been, am and will be a proud
Ukrainian. I've been and stay loyal to Ukrainian
football and its traditions.
"Now, I've really thought over my act and
understood that it was unacceptable for the fans. I
realise and accept that anger that has been coming
from them. Indeed, all the fans are true patriots of
their state and Ukrainian football and I admire them
for that. It is to the fans I want to say sorry for my
emotional act.

"As for the club's decision, I think in professional
football such decisions must not be taken on
emotions. I want to ask the media not to bother me
with unnecessary questions. I don't want to make
any comments until I dot all the 'i's and cross the
't's."

In a post on Facebook, Karpaty vice-president Oleg
Smaliychuk took responsibility for the decision.
"It was my personal decision on Gotra and I, as the
club's manager, take full responsibility for
terminating his contract," he said. "It might be too
radical and emotional, but football is impossible
without emotions. As in war. My brothers are being
killed almost every day. Therefore I don't give a s---
about what those Pro-Russian tramps think. God
will judge them. And I ask the fans to forgive the
boy, he surely regrets about what he's done."
Ukraine's Minister of Sport and Youth Igor Zhdanov
also spoke out in favour, writing on his Facebook
page that it was "the right decision from the Karpaty
board."

His post linked to Ukrainian news outlet Zaxid.net,
which stated: "The club refused to comment on the
issue, but approved that the player's contract has
been terminated." However, former vice-president of
Ukraine's Football Federation Anatoly Popov called
the decision "idiotic."
"Sport is outside politics, but unfortunately in
modern Ukraine it's become so political in recent
times," Popov said "The hatred can't be good for
anyone. There's no such thing as 'football
separatism' in our disciplinary regulations and you
can't just terminate a player's contract for that. It's
simply idiotic."

The reaction in Russia has been the opposite, with
condemnation from football officials and in the
media.

"You are not allowed to discriminate against players
for their political views as long as they are within
the law," Russia's head of the Professional
Footballers Union Aleksandr Zotov said. "I would
understand it if the player had pro-Nazi views, but
this is an absolutely absurd situation. If he appeals
the decision in Ukraine, FIFA or even Lausanne [at
the Court of Arbitration for Sport], he'll win the case
100 percent."

Russian new outlet Championat published a story
with the headline "Obscurantism, the Ukrainian way."
"You can now have your contract terminated in
Ukraine simply by photoshopping your picture,
adding a moustache, putting a hashtag
#moustacheofhope and adding a Russian flag," a
columnist wrote. "Oh, and to be happy for the result
of a football match, like when Russia beat Spain,
which can lead to similar consequences.

"Freedom of speech, globalisation and democracy
are all symbols of a future that will inevitably come.
It's such a shame that in a country where so much
effort has been spent on bringing these values
closer, many still do not understand this even at the
level of political elites.
"We can only hope that among ordinary Ukrainians
this story causes the same feeling of absurdity as
any adequate person experienced when he heard
this nonsense."


kwese.espn.com/football/fifa-world-cup/story/3557528/ukrainian-goalkeeper-sacked-for-supporting-russia-world-cup-win-apologises?device=featurephone

Jeez! Truly, It's more than a game.

Poor boy!
What a pity!!

Jackossky:
Jeez! Truly, It's more than a game.

Gbam

post=69178990:
Poor boy! What a pity!!

I feel he should sue d club to get justice