FIFA World Cup: Gael Ondua met in boots with the Russian flag for Cameroon, events in Europe, a scandal that threatens
The story of the open flag at the World Cup in Qatar was continued. In Europe, they are unhappy and demand that FIFA intervene. Recall that the midfielder of the Cameroon national team Gael Ondua, who grew up in our country, was brought up in Lokomotiv and played for the youth team of CSKA and Anji, met at the match with Switzerland in separate boots. On the game shoes of a 27-year-old football player, the flags of two countries – Camera and Russia. It happened on the field for about half an hour.
Gael Ondua met in boots with the flag of Russia
Photo: t.me/ondua29
The first negative reaction to the act The NRK TV channel published an article on the topic on its website. Channel football expert Carl-Eric Thorp said the following:
“This is completely inappropriate. This is a complete lack of tact and understanding of the tense situation in which Europe finds itself. It looks like a provocation to a lot of people. Perhaps this was done unintentionally, since Ondua spent important years in Russia and probably knows some Russian, but now it is a provocation. From a moral standpoint, I think FIFA should intervene.”
Thorp was supported by Berit Lindeman, Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
“If it doesn’t provoke a sporting reaction, then once again it will turn out why FIFA is out of control,” Lindeman said. – This is a political symbol that is perceived as support for a suspended team. Moreover, statements in favor of wide distribution, such as equality, equal rights and common love, are prohibited. And the fingers look at the statements. FIFA needs to clean up.”
Russian flag at the World Cup in Qatar! In fact, few noticed it.
Mina Finstad Berg:
“Since Russia has by nature been banned from playing football on the international stage due to the situation in Ukraine, this is interpreted by many as a political action. It is not clear why FIFA is strict about other types of statements and considers this the norm. FIFA has decided to suspend Russia for a good reason. It’s one thing what the flag represents to the player, but it’s also important to accept what the flag represents to the rest of the world.”
Journalists from the NRK TV channel contacted FIFA press secretary Giovanni Marti. He confirmed that a well-known organization about the Russian flag in the oil markets of Ondua, and this is no problem.
“I can tell you that I know about this disciplinary commission,” the FIFA representative replied. – But there are no problems here, because Ondua grew up in Russia. He is from Cameroon and Russia, and this is only the flag of his country. He has dual citizenship. Isn’t that more symbolic than the birth of the One Love captaincy? I don’t want to go into details. That’s all I’m willing to say.”
What threatens Ondua for the Russian flag? Lawyer Mikhail Prokopets will explain everything for the “Championship”.
Mikhail Prokopets
sports lawyer
“Of course, it cannot be accepted. He did not demonstrate it in order to convey a political message. Anything can be written on buts, if it does not apply to verification. He has demonstrated citizenship. FIFA bans political messages, but they weren’t here. On the boots they write the names of children, wives, their citizenship, so I don’t see any problems.”
Of course, the act In the Polish media space articles midfield section. So, on the Sport.pl website, a text was published with a very tough headline – “The only Russian at the World Cup has no shame. He is proud as a peacock.”
“I feel like a free person.” Our player at the World Cup was not afraid to show the flag of Russia
Gael himself, after the match with Switzerland, told the correspondent of the “Championship” that in the next games at the 2022 World Cup they would wear these boots:
“Why should I be afraid to gather on the field in boots with the public flag? Russia is my home. I grew up there. I live there. I will live there after my career. I’m not afraid of anything. I feel like a free person! Cameroon and Russia are my home. I will never give up on this.”
Ondua is a citizen of the Russian Federation. The midfielder, who is currently playing in Germany for Hannover, wants to play for the Russian national team, but, without waiting for a call, accepted an invitation from the national team of Cameroon. In the 2nd round of the 2022 World Cup, the Cameroonians will play with Serbia on November 28.
Gael Ondua in action for Cameroon
Photo: Claudio Villa/Getty Images
Meanwhile, this is not the first case associated with major tournaments. At the 2018 World Cup, French midfielder Sherdan Shaqiri met in boots with the flag of Kosovo. The Serbian Football Union complained to FIFA, but received the same answer – this is not a political gesture on the part of the player.