The "Vladimir Putin" shouts from Fenerbahçe fans in the game against Dynamo Kyiv are still having an impact. Club boss Ali Koc refuses to meet Ukrainian demands for an apology. The calls are inappropriate, but: "We are not on the side of anyone."
Turkish football champions Fenerbahçe will not apologize for the behavior of their fans during the match against Dynamo Kyiv (1-2 aet) in the Champions League qualifying round. "It is incumbent on the Ukrainian ambassador and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman to apologize to us after their inappropriate comments," said club president Ali Koc. "We will not apologize to Ukraine."
During the meeting, supporters chanted the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar strongly condemned the behavior: "Football is a fair game. Dynamo Kyiv were stronger last night. It is very sad to hear words of support from Fenerbahçe fans for the murderer and aggressor who is bombing our country ' Bodnar wrote on Twitter. Oleg Nikolenko, spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, tweeted: "Our forces defeated Putin 2-1 on Turkish soil. We recommend Turkish fans to be on the winning side."
Fenerbahçe's stance is clear, Koc said. "We are not on the side of anyone, we are against the war, we are on the side of humanity. Our position is that clear." Koc described the supporters' calls as "inappropriate and unnecessary", but there will be no official apology: "What can we do? Shut up?" Koc also stressed that the Ukrainian players repeatedly provoked the fans. Many Fenerbahçe fans took to social media to express their regret at the behavior of supporters inside the stadium.
The European Football Union (UEFA) had announced an investigation. Fenerbahçe had already distanced themselves from the behavior of the supporters in a statement on Thursday. It "does not represent the attitude and values of our club," the statement said. Vitaliy Bujalskyj had given Kyiv the lead, and then there were shouts of "Vladimir Putin" from the stands. The Ukrainian record champions won the second leg in Istanbul on Wednesday evening 2-1 (1-1, 0-0) after extra time. The narrow away win was enough after the 0-0 in the first leg to reach the third qualifying round for the premier class.
