UEFA fines Ukrainian Association of Football over anti-Russia banner

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has fined the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) for the behaviour of the national team's supporters.

Source: a decision by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body

Details: The UAF was fined a total of €34,000 for European and World Cup qualifying matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland. A banner displayed by fans reading "Russia is a terrorist state" led to a €15,000 fine. UEFA described such messages as provocative, political and unacceptable in football, stating that the sport has no place for such remarks.

The UAF was also fined for the use of pyrotechnics (€9,000) and for fans running onto the pitch (€10,000).

Background:

• In November, Ukraine's national football team finished second in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, meaning it will play in the playoffs, facing Sweden in the semi-final on 26 March.
• Previously, Serhii Rebrov, coach of Ukraine's national football team, firmly opposed the potential holding of a nominally home match against Poland for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Polish territory, calling it abnormal.

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