Dynamo Kyiv – Officials Remain in Denial Over Racism Problems

Dynamo Kyiv – Officials Remain in Denial Over Racism Problems

By Vadim Furmanov –

After multiple postponements, on Wednesday UEFA finally reached a decision regarding the punishment facing Dynamo Kyiv as a result of the racist incidents during their Champions League match against Chelsea in October. The club faces a two-match stadium closure, which means that their decisive group stage encounter with Maccabi Tel Aviv and a possible Round of 16 tie will take place without any supporters present. The club will also pay a €100,000 fine.

Dynamo president, Ihor Surkis, who called the decision “too severe,” announced that the club would appeal the punishment and maintains that the incident had nothing to do with racism.

Ukrainian Officials Deny Problem Exists

The response of Surkis and other Ukrainian officials demonstrates an outright denial that the problem exists and a complete avoidance of responsibility.

Ihor Kochetov, a vice president of the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU), originally said that the black fans who were assaulted should not have been in the ultras sector – despite the fact that video evidence clearly shows they were sitting in an adjacent sector, and were attacked by fans who moved toward them from the part of the stadium occupied by the ‘Rodychi’ ultras group.

Rodychi Ultras Dynamo Kyiv

Rodychi Ultras  – Image via reviewnews.net

Kochetov then declared that there is proof that the attack was brought about by a planned provocation, and he later claimed that the conflict was not racially motivated—the involvement of the black supporters was irrelevant and “the atmosphere was already tense” prior to the attack.

Surkis himself said “I get the impression that this was some kind of provocation, because in our country racism does not exist a priori.” Oleksandr Tereschuk, the head of the Kyiv Ministry of the Interior, also went on record to deny that the beatings were prompted by racism.

Even president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has commented on the matter, stating that he believes that “the root of these provocations does not come from Ukraine” and suggested instead that the entire affair was planned by Russia with the intent to accuse Ukraine of racism.

So far, none of this supposed evidence of a provocation has seen the light of day. Even though Surkis announced earlier that the club knows who is responsible for the attacks and will soon deal with the matter, the guilty parties remain unpunished. The criminal investigation launched on October 23 considered the incident a fight among football fans and has so far yielded no results.

The Incident Demonstrates A Shocking Failure of Ukraine’s Security Apparatus

Earlier this week the independent journalist initiative #Bukvy revealed the alleged identities of the attackers, which include a police sergeant, an aid to a member of parliament, several members of the Azov Civic Corps, and multiple well known ultras. These reports have yet to be verified, but the allegations are backed by substantial photographic evidence, as there was plenty of high-quality footage of the incident. This independent investigation has already done far more than the police have been able to accomplish.

The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, Ukraine’s oldest and most prominent human rights organization, has rightfully pointed out that the findings of #Bukvy “fuel concern about the failure of the police and the [Security Service of Ukraine] to carry out a proper investigation, and make further delay inexcusable.”

Dynamo only apologized to the victims 24 days after the attack, and in spite of endless promises to find those responsible, the club has yet to take any concrete action. In this context, the decision to display the words “no to racism” on their kits until the end of 2015 comes across loud and clear as an empty gesture.

Dynamo Against Racism Slogan - Image via Tribuna.com

Dynamo Against Racism Slogan – Image via Tribuna.com

Beyond the racial aspect, the entire affair raises serious questions about the capability of Dynamo Kyiv and the officials of the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex to ensure the safety of all fans, regardless of the color of their skin. During the Chelsea match, there were no stewards or other security personnel to stop the attackers, and the black fans were defended only by other white supporters, many of whom were also beaten. This is a shocking failure of security, especially considering that Ukrainian politicians have expressed an interest in hosting the 2018 Champions League Final at the stadium.

Legal Aspects – Dissecting UEFA’s Decision 

As for the legal side of the punishment, Dynamo were sanctioned under two articles: Article 14 deals with racism and covers any behavior or action that involves insulting another human being based on the color of their skin, race, ethnicity, religion, etc. A first offense is punishable by a partial stadium closure, a second offense by a full stadium ban, and subsequent offenses by further stadium bans and sanctions that can include point deduction or disqualification. However, there is no specific provision for racially motivated violence. Crowd disturbances are covered under Article 16, which states that all clubs are liable for inappropriate behavior exhibited by their supporters. Violations do not describe specific punishments, which are to be levied at UEFA’s discretion.

Given the severity of the attack and the unwillingness on the part of Dynamo’s officials to accept responsibility, a two match ban is a decidedly light punishment. The influence of UEFA Vice President Hryhoriy Surkis, former president of the FFU and brother of Ihor Surkis, may have helped soften the blow.

The Olimpiyskiy Stadium will be closed for visitors in the next two Champions League matches - Image via Manuel Veth

The Olimpiyskiy Stadium will be closed for visitors in the next two Champions League matches – Image via Manuel Veth

Nevertheless, the reprehensible actions of a minority have now ensured that Dynamo’s most important Champions League match in over a decade, with a spot in the knockout stage at stake, will take place without any support. If the club and authorities fail to take the necessary steps to punish the perpetrators and guarantee the safety of all supporters, the situation is certain to get worse.

Vadim Furmanov is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Originally from Ukraine, Vadim has resided in Chicago since 1994 and is a passionate supporter of both Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team. He is also a Chicago Fire season ticket holder and a member of the Fire’s Section 8 supporters group. He writes primarily about Ukrainian football, as well as the intersection between football, politics, and history. You can follow Vadim on Twitter @vfurmanov

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 3
  • comment-avatar
    David 8 years

    In addition to every bit of damning evidence brought forth in this article, wasn’t Dynamo Kiev’s “solution” to the problem of fan racism to segregate black fans to one section in the stadium? The denial and defiance shown by the club, its supporters, and people in the Ukrainian government is bewildering.

    • comment-avatar

      That was the stadium administration, which of course doesn’t make it much better.

    • comment-avatar
      Vadim Furmanov 8 years

      It was the director of the stadium who said that, and he quickly said that his words had been taken out of context. The reporter had asked him if he thinks segregating fans is a good idea, and he agreed, though later said that he wasn’t serious. Make of that what you will.

      And yes, I agree that how the club and the government have reacted is shocking, but I just want to point out that among the media and general supporters people have been very critical of how the situation has been handled. Also, quite a few white Dynamo supporters were also beaten up after they tried to defend the black supporters from the thugs during the Chelsea match.

  • DISQUS: 0