Posts appeared on social media, including on Marcin Somla’s profile, suggesting that Legia Warsaw fans were not allowed into the match against Shakhtar Donetsk because of a flag with the inscription “Wołyń Pamiętamy” (“Volhynia – We Remember”). The post gained popularity, triggering numerous emotional and anti-Ukrainian reactions and comments. However, neither Legia Warsaw, nor Shakhtar Donetsk, nor UEFA confirmed that such an incident took place.
Summary of the analysis
• A social media post suggested that Legia Warsaw fans were denied entry to the match because of the “Wołyń Pamiętamy” flag. There is no evidence that such an event occurred. There is no confirmation from Legia, the police, or UEFA.
• UEFA regulations prohibit bringing banners or flags with political or provocative content — regardless of nationality or historical context.
• In an official statement, Shakhtar Donetsk mentioned only “misunderstandings” surrounding the match, without confirming any ban or intervention against Polish fans.
What happened online?
A post appeared on Facebook reading:
“SCANDAL!!! Legia Warsaw – Shakhtar Donetsk match. Fans not allowed into the match because of the ‘Wołyń Pamiętamy’ flag.”
The author suggested that Ukrainian representatives of Shakhtar supposedly prevented the flag from being brought into the stadium in Poland.
The post reached over 12,000 views, generating numerous reactions from users. Emotional and anti-Ukrainian comments appeared, including:
“Let them play in Lviv or Kyiv. Who allows Ukrainians to boss around in Poland?”
Such comments do not refer to facts but represent an example of emotional disinformation aimed at provoking negative emotions and antagonism between Poles and Ukrainians.
What do official sources say?
After the match, Shakhtar Donetsk published a statement addressing the “misunderstandings” related to the event:
“During our Europa Conference League match in Kraków against Legia, we once again felt the enormous support from both Ukrainian and Polish fans. (…) We regret certain misunderstandings that arose in connection with this match.”
Source: https://legia.net/news/oswiadczenie-szachtara-po-meczu-z-legia/101912?.com
In another statement, the club emphasized:
“Shakhtar sincerely thanks the Polish nation for its hospitality, attention and long-standing support (…). We respect our shared history and honor the memory of all who suffered in the past, both Ukrainians and Poles.”
Source: https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7%2C64946%2C32352804%2Cszachtar-reaguje-ws-flagi-wolyn-ubolewamy.html?.com
There are no official statements from Legia Warsaw, the police, or UEFA confirming that fans were denied entry because of the flag.
What do the regulations say?
According to UEFA regulations and stadium rules, it is forbidden to bring in symbols or banners:
“of a political, provocative, racist nature or likely to incite aggression.”
Source: https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0297-1d60c4d32da7-cc9ed856c73d-1000/uecl_2025_stadium_rules_en.pdf
Similar provisions appear in Shakhtar Donetsk’s regulations:
Fans are prohibited from displaying symbols or banners containing provocative, fascist, or racist content (sec. 1.7).
The regulations also prohibit distributing propaganda that could incite social, national, or religious hostility (sec. 1.8), as well as engaging in any political activity (sec. 1.9).
Source: https://shakhtar.com/en/tickets/rules/
It can therefore be assumed that if a decision was indeed made to prohibit the “Wołyń Pamiętamy” flag, it would have resulted from the regulations applicable to international matches, not from an initiative of the Ukrainian side.
Disinformation and emotions
The narrative about the “ban on the Wołyń Pamiętamy flag” fits into a broader pattern of anti-Ukrainian disinformation in Polish social media. It uses sensitive historical topics to provoke emotions and deepen divisions.
The suggestion that “Ukrainians forbid remembering Volhynia” is manipulation. UEFA rules prohibit any political content in stadiums — regardless of the nationality of the teams or fans.
Conclusion
• The claim that Legia Warsaw fans were denied entry to the match against Shakhtar Donetsk because of the “Wołyń Pamiętamy” flag is unconfirmed.
• No official source — the club, the police, or UEFA — has confirmed such an incident.
• Decisions regarding allowed symbols are made by the match organizers in accordance with UEFA regulations, not by representatives of the visiting team.
The post is an example of disinformation that uses the topic of historical memory to provoke negative emotions and foster antagonism between Poles and Ukrainians.