Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar yesterday condemned the chants sung by Turkish supporters in support of Vladimir Putin during the football match between Fenerbahce and Dinamo Kiev on Wednesday night in Istanbul.
“Football is fair game. Dinamo Kiev were stronger yesterday [Wednesday] night. It is very sad to hear from Fenerbahçe supporters words of support for the murderer and the aggressor who is bombing our country. I am grateful to the friendly people of Turkey for the support they have given to Ukraine and for the many Turks who have condemned these chants,” wrote Vasyl Bodnar on Twitter.
Dinamo Kiev beat Fenerbahçe 2-1 in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the Football Champions League, qualifying for the next round, having drawn goalless in the first leg in Lodz, Poland.
The Turkish newspaper Sozcu tried to justify the attitude of Fenerbahçe fans, who chanted Vladimir Putin’s name in chorus: “Buyalskyi [scorer of Dinamo Kiev’s first goal] celebrated the goal in a provocative way. He was booed and yellow carded, prompting supporters to react that way.”
According to Turkish media, Dinamo Kiev coach Mircea Lucescu declined to attend the press conference after the game, but addressed the issue in a short televised interview.
“Everything worked according to the plans we drew up and won. We don’t value the reaction of Turkish fans, but we are sorry. We did not expect this to happen. It’s a shame,” he said.
However, Fenerbahçe issued a statement repudiating the events, noting that “these chants do not represent the club and do not reflect” its institutional stance.
“We are always careful to raise awareness of social and humanitarian issues, both in our country and in the world. We contributed with help to Ukraine, we played a friendly with Shakhtar Donetsk under the motto ‘Football for Peace’ and we received them in Turkey for a few days. Our position on this issue has been clear from day one.”
For its part, UEFA has informed, through an official note, that it will open an investigation into the incidents of the game.
