World Cup 2018: Russian fans expected to support Croatia over England despite ‘pro-Ukraine’ video row

Brotherly love: Russian fans feel they have stronger cultural links with Croatia
AP

Russian football fans are unlikely to switch their allegiance to England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final despite the controversy caused by Croatia defender Domagoj Vida and team observer Ognjen Vukojevic.

“I’m supporting Croatia as most Russians probably will, because they firstly play better football but mainly because we see them as a sort of brother nation,” said Andrey, 28, a small business owner from Moscow. “They’re similar in many cultural ways and not far from us geographically. Traditionally, we’ve always got on.”

Vida caused a stir on social media by making pro-Ukraine comments in a video alongside former international Vukojevic after the win over the hosts in Saturday’s quarter-final.

The former Dynamo Kiev player shouted: “Glory to Ukraine.” It was intepreted by some as a message of support amid the country’s territorial dispute with Russia, although he denied his comments were politically motivated. Vukojevic has been sent home by the Croatian FA, while Vida escaped with a warning from FIFA.

“It was just a bit stupid and I think politics should be kept out of football,” said Andrey. “But it wouldn’t change who I support in that match.”

In Moscow, apathy towards political controversy is not uncommon and it appears that little attention has been paid to the video.

Similarly, there is limited genuine hostility towards England, despite the strained diplomatic relations between Russia and the UK, only worsened this week following the death of Dawn Sturgess from the effects of the nerve agent Novichok, for which the British Goverment has pointed the finger at Russia.

Of the 20 members of FC MegaMuzhiki, an amateur football team in Moscow, 19 will be supporting Croatia. Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona, are big factors, as is their slick style. “I’m supporting Croatia because I think they’ve got a good side and they play good football,” said MegaMuzhiki’s Stepan, 25, a businessman who is going to the match.

“They were a breath of fresh air against Argentina. Their midfield, with Modric and Rakitic, is unreal. Historically, Russians have always had good relations with Croatians on a personal level, too, and I used to go there every couple of years in the summer as a kid. I loved it there, so I guess that will probably influence me.”

Daniil, an IT consultant, said: “I always felt that Croatia have had a good side but got unlucky in the big tournaments. They should have done well in 2008 but it didn’t work out.

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“Then, of course, in Euro 2016 they lost in the last minute of extra-time to Portugal, who obviously went on to win it, but Croatia looked as though they deserved that. I’m supporting them because I like the team and I think they deserve a final for the football they play.”

Although roughly 10,000 England fans are expected to attend the match after a late surge for tickets — Croatia expect to have roughly the same number of their own supporters — the vast majority of those in the 80,000-capacity arena will be Russian.

Property developer Natalya, 45, who is going the match, is likely to be in the minority.

“I’m not actually that much of a supporter of either side and I’m mainly going for the event,” she said. “However, my daughter’s boyfriend is English and loves football, so I’ll probably be supporting them. He keeps telling me ‘It’s coming home’.”

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