Attribution: Football.ua |
Following the stand-off between political
factions in Kiev and Moscow and the often blurry national show downs between
votes of unity and secession, the soccer stadium remains a precarious forum for
the discussion of Ukrainian nationalism. However, the future of the Ukrainian
soccer league, increased violence in the stands, and the placement of Shakhtar
Donetsk show how Ukrainian Soccer may become a new ideological battleground.
Marking the day of Nazi Germany’s capitulation
to the Soviet Union on May 9, 1945, Putin used Russia’s “Victory Day” to voice
his opinion on Crimean Secession. Lest the international community be confused
about Putin’s dedication to the area, Putin’s speech clearly marked the line in
the sand for the government in Kiev and all of its western allies. Putin
alluded to Crimea’s secession as an act of freedom reminiscent of the victory
over the Nazis. Putin speaks of “unbending will, and selfless service to the
motherland…[that has] made a tremendous contribution to the return of Crimea
and Sevastopol to their native land.”[1]
Following this speech, Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine have initiated a
referendum to establish an independent government in Donetsk and Luhansk that
would ally itself with Russia. Naturally, the government in Kiev has renounced
the results as being manipulated by “terrorists.” However, Opinion polls
showing 37% in favor with a Russian alliance do not match the supposed 90% of
votes that favor independence according to the referendum.[2]
In a political atmosphere mired by nationalistic division and differing
East-West ideological divides, soccer gives an insight to the expression of
Ukrainian nationalism that can often become muddled in the media.
In the realm of international soccer, the game
can provide a forum in which to express national solidarity. In early March
2014, a scheduled game between Ukraine and the United States had to be moved to
a neutral ground in Cyprus. Amidst Russian occupation in Crimea, the Ukrainian
National Team did not hold back their sense of national solidarity as they held
each other’s shoulders and sang the Ukrainian national anthem to the few
spectators in the stands.[3]
The next challenge for Ukrainian soccer comes to the possible secession of
Crimean soccer teams into the Russian Premier League. The biggest team to be
forced to make the move will be Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian league’s now
5-time champion. On May 11, 2014, Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Zorya Luhansk in an
empty stadium to claim the league title.[4]
Mounting violence in the stands between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists
forced the Ukrainian league to continue all games without spectators for fear
of more violence.[5]
[6] But with Donetsk’s independence and Crimea’s
occupation, the Russian League may overtake half of the Ukrainian league’s
teams and their fans with them.
[1] “Transcript: Vladimir Putin’s Victory
Day Speech in Crimea.” The Washington
Post, May 9, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/transcript-vlaidmir-putins-victory-day-speech-in-crimea/2014/05/09/93e234f0-d78e-11e3-8a78-8fe50322a72c_story.html
[2] Gigova, Radina, Lena Kashkarova, and
Victoria Butenko, “Ukraine’s Donetsk Region Asking to Join Russia, Seperatist
Leader Says.” CNN, May 12, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/12/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/
[3] Baxter, Kevin, “Listless U.S. Soccer
Team Falls to Emotional Ukraine, 2-0.” Los
Angeles Times (Blog), March 5, 2014, http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/05/sports/la-sn-sp-us-ukraine-soccer-20-20140305
[4] “Shakhtar Donetsk wins Ukrainian soccer
title again.” The Fresno Bee, May 11,
2014, http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/05/11/3921521/shakhtar-donetsk-wins-ukrainian.html
[5] Iqbal, Muhammad, “Ukrainian soccer
celebrations ended in Odessa deaths.” Recorder,
May 4, 2014, http://www.brecorder.com/world/europe/170505-ukrainian-soccer-celebrations-ended-in-odessa-deaths.html
[6] “Fans banned over violence fears in
Ukraine soccer matches.” The Australian,
May 10, 2014, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/fans-banned-over-violence-fears-in-ukraine-soccer-matches/story-e6frg6so-1226912299602
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