Finnish football fans unveil giant tifo of owl attacking Lukashenko-like cockroach at Belarus match
Finnish football fans unveiled a giant banner depicting an owl attacking a cockroach resembling Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko during Finland's match against Belarus in Helsinki on Sept. 29.
The tifo, displayed at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium shortly before kickoff, carried the Finnish words “Sun päiväs koittaa” - “Your day will come.”
Fans also waved Ukrainian flags and Belarus' historic white-red-white opposition flag, loudly booed the Belarusian national anthem and sang a Ukrainian football chant insulting Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to Helsingin Sanomat.
Finland's players warmed up in shirts bearing the words “We Stand for Peace.”
The match had been controversial before it began. Finland's football association initially said it would be played at a neutral venue but later reversed the decision and scheduled it in Helsinki.
Ukraine's embassy protested the move in a diplomatic note to Finland's Foreign Ministry. Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Vydoinyk said the decision appeared inconsistent with Finland's strong support for Ukraine.
Belarus has supported Russia's war against Ukraine, but UEFA and FIFA continue to allow Belarusian national teams to compete internationally.
Finland's football association had pledged to donate the match's net proceeds to support Ukraine. Helsingin Sanomat reported that attendance was low enough that there might be no net proceeds, although the association was expected to contribute money itself.
The match ended 0-0.