Croatia's Football Federation has said ex-football player and scout for Ukraine's Dynamo football team Ognjen Vukojevic has been dismissed from his position as an assistant trainer for the Croatia team at the FIFA World Cup tournament and will no longer be a member of the Croatia delegation at the Russia-hosted tournament.

The Croatian Football Federation decided to cancel Vukojevic's accreditation as a member of the national team at the FIFA World Cup and to release him from his duties as an observer for the Croatian national team." The Croatian Football Federation hereby apologizes to the Russian public for the actions of a member of the Croatian delegation, the federation's website said on Monday.

Following the Croatia vs. Russia match Vukojevic and with ex-Dynamo Kyiv team player Domagoj Vida blurted out the greeting "Glory to Ukraine!"

"Ognjen Vukojevic and Domagoj Vida also apologize for their statements, which in no way suggested the presence of political connotations, but which, unfortunately, left room for such interpretations," the Croatian Football Federation said.

In addition, on its website published and the statement of Vukojevic himself. "I understand and respect the decision of the Croatian Football Federation. I would never want to be a burden to the team, especially not on the eve of such a monumental match as the semi-final of the World Cup, when the team most in need of a quiet atmosphere. My applications were really not intended for any political connotations, and I just wanted to thank my friends in Ukraine for their support and thank my club Dynamo Kyiv for allowing me to participate in the World Cup," he said.

"I understand that my statements, unfortunately, could be interpreted differently, which is why I'm sorry, I apologize to the Russian public if they misunderstood my statements. I am very proud of what the Croatian team has already achieved in Russia, and I hope for good luck in the rest of the tournament. I will be their biggest fan to the very end," Vukojevic said.