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Sun ‘exposes racism in Russia’ with video of far-right Ukrainian football fans | Sun ‘exposes racism in Russia’ with video of far-right Ukrainian football fans |
(about 9 hours later) | |
It appears the UK tabloid, The Sun, needs a lesson in geography after it posted a video of controversial Ukrainian football fan group White Boys Club, who wear KKK capes, and paint swastikas on their clothes under the title ‘Racism in Russia’. | It appears the UK tabloid, The Sun, needs a lesson in geography after it posted a video of controversial Ukrainian football fan group White Boys Club, who wear KKK capes, and paint swastikas on their clothes under the title ‘Racism in Russia’. |
The video was an edited version of a clip posted on YouTube, which shows Ukrainian ultras – hardcore fans of Dynamo Kiev – putting on a visual display during a home match against their biggest rivals, another Ukrainian team, Shakhtar Donetsk last week. | The video was an edited version of a clip posted on YouTube, which shows Ukrainian ultras – hardcore fans of Dynamo Kiev – putting on a visual display during a home match against their biggest rivals, another Ukrainian team, Shakhtar Donetsk last week. |
Despite being incorrect, the caption was not removed from the website for several hours. | Despite being incorrect, the caption was not removed from the website for several hours. |
It is not clear whether this was an innocent geographical error on the part of The Sun, which has been running a campaign warning of hooliganism at next year’s World Cup in Russia. | |
An accompanying article about the display also made no mention of the fact that the events were taking place in Ukraine. | |
Behind a sign emblazoned with ‘100 percent white,’ several thousand ultras – many wearing retro hockey goalkeepers masks and overalls – launch pyrotechnics, break into chants, and perform choreographed routines. | Behind a sign emblazoned with ‘100 percent white,’ several thousand ultras – many wearing retro hockey goalkeepers masks and overalls – launch pyrotechnics, break into chants, and perform choreographed routines. |
Boys’ songs are directed against Russia, while foreign players, particularly darker-skinned ones, are frequently subjected to whistles and boos. | Boys’ songs are directed against Russia, while foreign players, particularly darker-skinned ones, are frequently subjected to whistles and boos. |
Various such movements, often modeled on English ‘football firms’ and flare-launching and banner-waving Italian ultras, sprung up in the former Soviet Union in the late 1980s. | Various such movements, often modeled on English ‘football firms’ and flare-launching and banner-waving Italian ultras, sprung up in the former Soviet Union in the late 1980s. |
While the name White Boys Club also refers to Dynamo’s club colors, the organizers do not deny that they have grown hand-in-hand with nationalist and far-right movements, and the badges sold by the group feature a Nazi-era heraldic eagle. | While the name White Boys Club also refers to Dynamo’s club colors, the organizers do not deny that they have grown hand-in-hand with nationalist and far-right movements, and the badges sold by the group feature a Nazi-era heraldic eagle. |
READ MORE: Dynamo Kiev fans wear KKK outfits, swastikas in ‘white frenzy’ display intended for UEFA official | |
Since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, fans have officially put an end to their altercations, and instead have united in supporting the country against “Russian aggression.” | Since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, fans have officially put an end to their altercations, and instead have united in supporting the country against “Russian aggression.” |
While the ultras themselves insist that their behavior is not illegal, there have been multiple incidents of violence inside the stadium, including a scene four years ago, when black supporters were chased out of the stadium in Kiev. | While the ultras themselves insist that their behavior is not illegal, there have been multiple incidents of violence inside the stadium, including a scene four years ago, when black supporters were chased out of the stadium in Kiev. |
The use of flares, and incendiary political symbols – including swastikas, and other controversial regalia, such as outfits with the number 88, which celebrates Adolf Hitler – is banned by international football bodies. Violence outside stadiums is also frequent, as YouTube clips and testimonies attest, though usually self-policed. | The use of flares, and incendiary political symbols – including swastikas, and other controversial regalia, such as outfits with the number 88, which celebrates Adolf Hitler – is banned by international football bodies. Violence outside stadiums is also frequent, as YouTube clips and testimonies attest, though usually self-policed. |