FIFA to probe pro-Ukraine celebration by Vida

Domagoj Vida

Croatia defender Domagoj Vida faced possible disciplinary sanctions from FIFA after posting a clip dedicating his country's victory over Russia in the World Cup quarter-final to Ukraine.

Vida scored an extra-time goal and one of Croatia's penalties in a 4-3 shootout win over the World Cup hosts in Sochi on Saturday. Croatia will play England in the semi-final on Wednesday and some Russian officials are calling on FIFA to take the toughest measures possible against the Balkan country.

The pony-tailed 29-year-old shouted "Glory to Ukraine!" in a video posted by former Croatia international Ognjen Vukojevic shortly after the match. The two both spent parts of their careers playing for Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv. FIFA, world football's governing body, said it was investigating. "FIFA is processing the different reports of the said match as well as potential evidence concerning the matter referred to in your message," a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

"Until we have evaluated all information available, we cannot comment further." Vida later told Russian media that he meant no offence. "It love Russian people," Vida was quoted as saying. "It was just a joke."

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