"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs resolutely condemns yesterday's incident in Poznan. We deem the anti-Lithuanian content on the banner scandalous and view it as an unfortunate manifestation of thoughtless behavior and ignorance, which has triggered determined objections from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish government,“ said Michal Safianik, director of the ministry's press service.
In his words, "every meeting on the football court should be a sports festival and should encourage healthy sports competition rather than be a source of reckless behavior, lack of thinking and ignorance." The diplomat's comment to the Polish news agency PAP is available on the Polish ministry's website.
During the UEFA European League game between Žalgiris Vilnius and Lech Poznan on Thursday, the Polish fans put up a giant banner, saying “Lithuanian Cad, Kneel Before the Polish Nobility."
Although Žalgiris lost Thursday's match 1:2, it eliminated Lech from the 2013-2014 UEFA European League tournament.
At the first game between the two teams at the Lithuanian capital a week ago, when Žalgiris defeated Lech 1:0, the Polish fans also offended Lithuanians by chanting slogans about Vilnius belonging to the Poles.
On Friday, the Polish Embassy in Vilnius congratulated Žalgiris on the triumph.
