A day after a player was let off with a warning, a Croatia official has been fined 15,000 Swiss francs ($15,150) for making a pro-Ukraine video that soon appeared on social media after the team’s World Cup quarterfinal win over Russia.
FIFA says Ognjen Vukojevic was also warned for “unsporting behavior.” The incident also involved Croatia defender Domagoj Vida, who received an official warning but no match sanction from soccer’s international governing body.
Vukojevic, who played for Dynamo Kiev with Vida, stated “This is a victory for Dynamo and for Ukraine!”
Earlier Monday, the Croatia soccer federation said Vukojevic had been sent home from the World Cup.
FIFA says he published the video, which appeared on social media about an hour after Croatia’s quarterfinal victory in a penalty shootout.
FIFA says its disciplinary panel noted that Vukojevic and the Croatian federation soon apologized.
Vida is expected to start for Croatia against England in the semifinals on Wednesday.
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Cuneyt Cakir has been selected to referee the semifinal between Croatia and England, making it successive World Cups the Turkish official has handled a game in the semis.
Cakir will be working his third game in Russia on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
He handled Argentina’s 2-1 win over Nigeria and Iran’s 1-0 win over Morocco in the group stage.
Uruguayan Andres Cunha was appointed to referee Tuesday’s semifinal between France and Belgium in St. Petersburg.
Cakir was referee in the World Cup semifinals at Brazil four years ago when Argentina edged Netherlands on penalties.
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