Dinamo Minsk is closely aligned with the Belarusian regime due to its state sponsorship and Lukashenko’s regular interventions with the club’s proceedings.
There have been calls from some quarters for Dinamo Minsk to face disqualification from European competition, although those voices were more prominent in 2022, following Belarus’ public support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Currently the only limitations imposed on Belarusian football clubs is an obligation to play their home matches at a neutral venue.
Speaking to TVP World on Friday, Anatol Kotau from the Forum of Democratic Forces of Belarus and former Secretary of the Belarusian Olympic Committee, suggested that Dinamo Minsk should not be allowed to play in international competitions.
“We personally think that Belarusian sports should not be excluded from international competitions, but under very tough criteria with no links to military, no links to state. Not receiving government money... Dinamo Minsk would not meet such criteria,” Kotau said.
In 2021, Lukashenko expressed strong displeasure with Dinamo Minsk’s performances, sending an ominous warning to the players and staff.
“If you show poor performances, you will be under my daily control. I will come here very often and both players and coaches will get it to the fullest. You’d better play well,” media outlet belarus.by reported him as saying.
