Jun 10, 2021 - World

Europe's soccer governing body to allow map with Crimea on Ukrainian jerseys

Orion Rummler

Friendly match between Ukraine and Cyprus — Ukraine's Roman Yaremchuk in a friendly match against the national team of Cyprus in Kharkiv. Photo: Vyacheslav Madiyevskyi/ Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said Thursday it would allow Ukraine players to wear new jerseys that display a map of Crimea, despite Russia's objections, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: As of last month, Russia had only withdrawn a few thousand troops from its border with Ukraine, after the country amassed its highest number of troops in the region since annexing Crimea in 2014, per the New York Times.

Yes, but: The UEFA said that Ukraine's jerseys would have to remove the phrase "Glory to the heroes," which originates from military use in the country and has become a national salute.

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Europe's soccer governing body to allow map with Crimea on Ukrainian jerseys

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