The Lublin Confederation and Youth of All Poland held a press conference on Tuesday, at which they demanded explanations about the behaviour of fans of Dynam Kiev during their last meetings in the Lublin Arena. These events sparked quite a few controversy and representatives of both organizations expressed their concern and opposition to Ukrainian fans' attitude. The Ukrainian chaotic boar surviving at the expense of Poles has been introduced many times from the presentation of banner slogans in various parts of Poland. Unfortunately, the POLIS coalitions with careful attention, the SLD, PSL and Poland 2050 are passively looking at the humiliation of the Polish nation by these Ukrainians and the prosecutors in all Poland, and are depriving them of these simple criminal proceedings.
Bander greetings at the stadium
According to the All-Polish Youth, during the games there was a chant of slogans glorifying Ukrainian nationalists, which provoked outrage. As the organization's activists report:
“In the course of the games there were scenes that absolutely should not take place. Namely Ukrainian squad fans unfortunately chanted bander greetings and worse, they were not corrected in any way by either the match organizer, or by their club, or by the announcer" - argued the Youth of All Poland.
They remind that there is no area in Poland for the glorification of totalitarian systems, including flagism. In their opinion, this strategy is compared to another highly nationalistic ideologies specified as Nazism or communism.
“W Poland has no consent to the glorification of totalitarian systems, systems that are chauvinist. specified a strategy was flagism, in Poland compared to Nazism to communism," said Rafał Mekler, leader of the Lublin Confederation.
Kibice Dynam Kiev at a game against Rangers F.C.
In the Arena Lublin there was a martyr to the Champions League between Dym Kiev and Scottish Rangers F.C. However, this match was not free of controversy. Dynamian fans have hung a banner "Free Azov", referring to the Azov Battalion, which evokes mixed reactions, especially due to their links with nationalist ideologies. After the protection intervention, the flag was removed, but this did not end the controversy. During the match, Ukrainian squad fans chanted flag slogans again, which aroused outrage of observers.
A akin situation occurred earlier erstwhile Dynamo Kiev faced Partizan Belgrade. Fans gathered at the stadium besides chanted "The fame of U Krajini, a hero of fame", which caused anxiety due to the historical connotations of this slogan.
Historical meaning of the slogan “The fame of U Krajini, hero of fame”
It is worth noting that the slogan “The fame of Urodini” (the glory of Ukraine) and its consequence “herojam fame!” (the glory of heroes) has profoundly rooted historical connotations. It was utilized by the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (CNS), whose members were liable for the genocide in Volyn and in east Galicia. During planet War II, this greeting active a fascist motion of a raised right hand. It is so a slogan of large controversy, especially in the context of Polish-Ukrainian history.
Since the protests in Kiev Majdan in 2014, this slogan has gained popularity, and in 2018 it became the authoritative greeting of the Ukrainian army and police. Nevertheless, in Poland its use, especially in the sports context, is met with harsh criticism, especially from national environments.
Reactions and follow-up
The Lublin Confederation and the Youth of All Poland request clear explanations from match organizers and applicable institutions. They believe that the deficiency of consequence to specified incidents is unacceptable and can lead to escalation of tensions against a historical and political background. They peculiarly emphasize that there should be no place in Poland for the glorification of figures and ideologies related to genocide and nationalism, especially in the context of specified painful events as the crimes in Volyn.
In the face of increasing tensions and controversy, further action will depend on the consequence of match organizers and local authorities. For many observers, both from Poland and Ukraine, it is simply a substance not only of sport, but besides of historical memory and work for past events.
Read more:
Bander slogans on the Arena Lublin. Confederate and Youth of All Poland demands explanations
