Fans of the Polish football club of ŁKS Łódź recently published an online statement in the context of the Ukrainian national team’s matches organised in their local stadium (Aleja Unii). 

In an address to their Ukrainian counterparts, the Polish fans emphasise their readiness to resolutely react to any attempt to tarnish the good name of the Polish nation and disrespect its history. 

The Ukrainian national team did not manage to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. It is now playing the Nations League. Given the ongoing war at home, the yellow-blue team plays its matches in Poland. 

Last Saturday, Ukraine defeated Armenia 3-0 on Polish soil, in the new ŁKS Łódź stadium, in front of over 12,500 spectators. Even before the match with Armenia, ŁKS fans warned the Ukrainian audience that not a single symbol related to Ukrainian radical nationalism (OUN-UPA, Stepan Bandera, etc.) would be tolerated. 

„[…] We would like to remind you that the national flag [of Ukraine], for which the Ukrainians are shedding their blood, is blue and yellow. Any other symbols, in particular, the black and red flag, which is the symbol of Bandera, will not be tolerated. We cannot agree that in our home or in our country the criminal who murdered Poles and was responsible for the Volhynian Massacre would be venerated. We will resolutely react to any attempt to tarnish the good name of our nation and disrespect our history” we read in the statement which has been published in Ukrainian.

Image: Michal Dyjuk / AP Photo

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen