Gloucester Rugby said the decision aligned with sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the Ukraine conflict
England-based Gloucester Rugby Club has told player Kirill Gotovtsev to remove a Russian flag from his jersey following backlash on social media. The club stated that the decision aligns with sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the Ukraine conflict.
The move came after Gotovtsev, a Russian national who joined Gloucester in 2021 and has made over 50 Premiership appearances, wore a jersey featuring a Russian tricolor patch during a match against Sale Sharks last Saturday. Since 2015, Gloucester has allowed players to display their national flags on jerseys as a way to honor those who have represented their countries at the international level. However, the club said the flag’s presence sparked criticism from fans.
“Gloucester Rugby is acutely aware of the social media discussion regarding the national flag of Kirill Gotovtsev appearing on his home shirt during Saturday’s Premiership fixture vs Sale,” the club said in a statement released on Wednesday. It added that it “understands the connotations of the flag in question” and apologizes for “any offence this may have caused.”
The club said it would act in line with World Rugby’s 2022 sanctions, which banned Russia from international and cross-border competitions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Gloucester added that it held “internal discussions” with Gotovtsev, who agreed to forgo wearing the Russian flag patch on his jersey going forward.
Social media users commented on Gotovtsev sporting a Russian flag after a fan posted a screenshot from Saturday’s game with the tricolor clearly visible on the back of the player’s jersey, and accompanied the shot with the caption “you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting Ruzzian terrorists.” However, the responses were mixed, with some supporting the club’s decision and others calling it “embarrassing” or criticizing it as “racist” and “Nazi” for singling out Gotovtsev.
Gloucester addressed the controversy in its statement, expressing “deep disdain for all forms of racism” and announcing that all national flags would be temporarily removed from players’ uniforms for the rest of the season.
Gotovtsev, 37, is the only Russian player in the Gallagher Premiership. Before switching to rugby, he had a background in wrestling and bobsleigh and represented Russia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from competing under their national flags in many international sports. Some athletes have been permitted to compete as individuals or under neutral flags. Moscow has criticized the restrictions, accusing international federations of “politicizing” sports.
