"No Shymside, No Texas fans". A banner with the flag of Uzbekistan caused a scandal at a football match in Kazakhstan

"No Shymside, No Texas fans": A banner with the flag of Uzbekistan sparked a scandal at a football match in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, the parents of underage female fans were held accountable after fans unfurled a flag of Uzbekistan with the inscription "No Shymside, No Texas fans" during an Aktobe vs. Ordabasy match. Local youth decided to taunt fans from Shymkent, which is ironically called "Texas" and "Shymside," using the neighboring state's flag as a provocative hint, which ultimately escalated into an interethnic scandal.

The incident occurred on October 17 during a football match in Aktobe. Photos from the stands instantly spread across social media and sparked a wave of outrage on both sides of the border: users saw the stunt as having signs of inciting national hatred and disrespecting the state symbol of Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstani lawyer Ayankhan Omarov drew attention to what happened. He sent an official appeal to the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, asking for a legal evaluation of the female fans' actions and requesting a check for violations of Article 174 of the Criminal Code ("Incitement of social, national, tribal, or religious hatred").

Prominent Uzbek football blogger Fatulla Khayrullaev also reacted to the situation. In his video message, he noted that such antics cause direct damage to the international image of Uzbekistan and called for holding the perpetrators accountable strictly according to the law.

The Police Department of Aktobe Region reported that the identities of the girls holding the banner were promptly established. A preventive discussion was conducted with them in the presence of their parents.

Since the violators turned out to be minors, their parents were brought to administrative liability under Article 127 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Failure by parents or other legal representatives to fulfill duties for the upbringing and education of minor children").