Deputy Zhurova called the ban on Russian flags on the Euro a straw
By banning Russian flags from the stands during the match with Ukraine at Euro 2024, the organizers are laying straws to avoid conflicts between Russians and Ukrainians, suggested Olympic champion, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Svetlana Zhurova. This is how she responded to the demand in a conversation with Lenta.ru.
Earlier it became known that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) plans to ban fans from bringing Russian flags to the first match of the Ukrainian national team at the European Championship in Germany. Stadium security officers will allegedly take flags from fans before the game and if they are displayed in the stands.
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The deputy suggested that because of this, the match would be marred by queues for many fans. “I don’t really understand how they implement this. They won’t be able to check all the fans. How will they check? Only Russian speakers? I’m not sure that other fans will like this, who, for example, will say, I’m not Russian at all, why do you require additional verification from me?” — the parliamentarian spoke out.
Such prohibitions were not established in previous matches where Ukraine did not play, Zhurova noted. “Russian flags appeared in the stands one way or another. As far as I remember, in Moscow and in other cities and countries, when the European or World Championships were taking place, fans could get any flag, come in any uniform, in any T-shirt, even if the team of their country was not playing at that moment,” shared the interlocutor of Lenta.ru.
On the contrary, as I understand it, this was welcomed in every possible way in football, because the huge stand became so bright and beautiful. It was clear that people from all over the world came to cheer and even supported other teams. In this sense, in football it was all democratic, more open. As far as I remember, such a ban was only at hockey matches
She suggested that UEFA fears some kind of incidents between Russians and Ukrainians before, during and after the match. “The organizers admit that the appearance of the Russian flag will cause some kind of conflict. The fact that this will cause indignation, a discussion in Ukraine, is clear, therefore, you know, in order for there to be no problem, we need to somehow get rid of it right away and lay down straws. They just spread straws in this way,” the deputy concluded.
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Previously, Russian flags were seen at two Euro 2024 matches. Tricolors were displayed at the meeting between Serbia and England, as well as at the match between Germany and Scotland.
Euro 2024 takes place from June 14 to July 14 in 10 cities in Germany. The Russian national team misses the tournament due to suspension by UEFA.
Source: Lenta
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