English rugby club bans player from wearing Russian flag patch

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.

You should be ashamed of yourself for supporting Ruzzian terrorists: pic.twitter.com/thzGynoelo— Palm Bleach