Former Croatian footballer and member of the national team's staff at this year's World Cup in Russia, Ognjen Vukojevic, was sacked on Monday for dedicating Croatia's win against the Russian team to Ukraine, the Croatian Football Federation said in a press release.

Vukojevic, who had spent several years playing for Ukrainian powerhouse Dynamo Kiev before retiring in 2017, was tasked with scouting opposition teams at this year’s tournament, reporting directly to Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic.

Vukojevic and Domagoj Vida – who was a member of the starting line-up in Croatia’s quarter-final win over hosts Russia, and had also spent five years playing at Dynamo Kiev – recorded a video after Croatia’s triumph that ended up on social media networks, in which they dedicated the win to Ukraine, and used the salute Glory to Ukraine.

Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government have been involved in an ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region since 2014. The video and message, which are offensive to hosts Russia, led some Russian officials to call on FIFA – which bans political messages – to issue sanctions for the incident, including a possible suspension for Vida for the remainder of the tournament.

Croatia will play England in the tournament’s semi-final on Wednesday, July 11.

Follow N1 via mobile apps for Android | iPhone/iPad | Windows| and social media on Twitter | Facebook.