The 29-year-old Besiktas player was handed a warning by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for his statement but avoided a ban and started for Croatia as they reached the final for the first time.

 

“I know that I’ve made a mistake. I want to once again apologize to the Russian people. I didn’t think about it and please forgive me, it’s life.

 

You should learn from your mistakes,” Vida told the Russia-24 news channel in Russian when asked about the booing.

 

Two separate videos of Vida saying “Glory to Ukraine!” were posted online after Croatia beat hosts Russia on penalties in the quarter-finals.

 

Croatia, who claimed the third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, will take the winners of that tournament, France, in the final, which will be played at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.