Uefa to investigate Fenerbahce fans’ Putin chant during Dynamo Kyiv game

Uefa have launched a disciplinary investigation against Fenerbahce, after some supporters of the Turkish club chanted Vladimir Putin’s name during a Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday evening.

After a goalless first leg played in Lodz, Poland, the Ukrainian side went ahead in Istanbul through Vitaliy Buyalskyi in the 57th minute, shortly after Fenerbahce midfielder Ismail Yuksek was sent off. Buyalskyi’s celebration after scoring was met with chants of “Vladimir Putin” from sections of the home crowd.

Fenerbahce scored a late equaliser to take the game to extra time but Dynamo prevailed thanks to a 114th-minute winner by Oleksandr Karavaev. The result was overshadowed by the chants in support of the Russian president, which prompted a furious online backlash.

In a statement, Uefa said: “An ethics and disciplinary inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding alleged misbehaviour of Fenerbahce supporters” at the game, held at the Super Lig club’s Sukru Saracoglu stadium.

Vasyl Bodnar, the Ukrainian ambassador to Ankara, said on Twitter he was saddened by the chants but thanked those who stood against the “inappropriate actions” of the fans. “Football is a fair game. Dynamo Kyiv was stronger yesterday,” he added.

Fenerbahçe fans chanting “Vladimir Putin” after a Dynamo Kyiv player celebrated scoring in this #UCL qualifier.Absolutely tasteless