Sick Fenerbahce fans slammed for Putin chants during Champions League qualifier against Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv
A large group of Fenerbahce fans have been heavily condemned for chanting Vladimir Putin’s name during a Champions League qualifying match against Dynamo Kyiv.
The disgraceful incident occurred on Wednesday during the second leg of the second round qualifying clash between the two sides at the Ulker Stadium in Turkey.
Ukrainian midfielder Vitaliy Buyalskyi scored the first goal of the tie in the 57th minute to put Dynamo in the lead, which sparked the horrific chants from Fenerbahce supporters.
A large section of the crowd began to chant Russian president Putin’s name in a sick act against the Ukraine side amid the devastating war between the two countries.
Many people are now urging UEFA to ban the Turkish side from all competitions.
Some took to Twitter to share their outrage, with one person stating: “UEFA please ban Fenerbahçe from all your events. This is disgusting, pathetic and infuriating.”
Read More in Football
Another added: “I am a Fenerbahce fan but UEFA should ban us from European competitions.”
And Sun columnist Piers Morgan had his say on the incident.
He tweeted: “So disgusting. But Dynamo won.. making Fenerbahce double losers.”
Dynamo Kyiv went on to win the game 2-1 after Oleksandr Karavayev scored a decisive goal late in extra time.
Fenerbahce have since issued a statement condemning the actions of the club’s fans.
It read: “We release this statement in reaction to an incident which occurred during the Dynamo Kyiv match held at our stadium as part of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and in which an expression that in no way reflects our club’s attitudes were heard coming from one section of the stands after the opposing team scored a goal.
“As Fenerbahçe Sports Club we have always taken care – and we see it as our responsibility – to foster awareness, both in our own country and throughout the world, of any social and humanitarian issues that fall within our sphere of influence.
“At the very onset of the war on February 24, 2022, Fenerbahçe Sports Club was the first sports club to react to it.
“We reiterate once again the message that we have been emphatically conveying through all of our official communication channels: War is not bravery, it is cowardice! #NoToWar.
“Furthermore, one of the best examples of our sensitivity on this matter is to be seen in the friendly “Football For Peace” match with Shakhtar Donetsk that we held at our stadium in April in order to draw attention, to materially and morally contribute to peace in Ukraine. We stood by The Ukrainian club in every possible way and hosted them in our country for days on end.
“As Fenerbahçe Sports Club, our stance and approach on this matter is well-known to the public since the very beginning.
Read More on The Sun
“After a goal at the 58th minute of yesterday’s match, some players on the opposing team, especially a reserve goalkeeper who once played for a rival team in our country, engaged in provocative behaviour that outraged some fans and caused a reaction which lasted for a mere 20 seconds in the course of a two-hour game.
“As Fenerbahçe Sports Club, whatever the reason it may be, the reaction coming from one section of the stands is unacceptable.”