(ANSA-AFP) – PARIS, AUGUST 05 – UEFA has imposed a fine of 50,000 euros on Fenerbahçe because of the slogans chanted by some of its supporters in favor of Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the match against Dynamo Kiev, on 27 last July in Istanbul. UEFA has also imposed the partial closure of the stadium to the Turkish club (5,000 seats), during the next home game of a European tournament. The body specifies in a statement that these measures were decided in response to the “throwing of objects and the transmission of a provocative message of an offensive nature, or illicit chants”. The incidents occurred during a match valid for the second qualifying round of the Champions League, won 2-1 by Dynamo Kiev. After a goal scored by Ukrainian Vitaliy Buyalski (12 ‘st), a few hundred Fenerbahçe fans chanted the name of the Russian head of state, according to videos posted on social networks. UEFA immediately opened a disciplinary investigation into the “alleged misconduct” of the Turkish fans. Fenerbahçe initially apologized in a press release, before its president announced three days later that the club would not apologize to Ukraine for these slogans.
For his part, the Ukrainian ambassador to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, condemned these chants the day after the match. “It is very sad to hear from the supporters of Fenerbahçe words that support the murderer and the aggressor who is bombing our country”, he reacted in Turkish on Twitter.
The pro-Putin slogans have also caused a stir on social media and many Turks have called them “shameful”. While quickly condemning the Russian offensive in Ukraine, Turkey opted for neutrality between the two countries and did not join the sanctions against Moscow. (ANSA-AFP).
Source: Ansa
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