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Pro-Putin taunt on the pitch

February 17, 2016

Lokomotiv Moscow will face disciplinary action from UEFA following misconduct from one of their players at the end of a politically charged clash with Fenerbahce. The Turkish club won the Europa League game 2-0.

https://p.dw.com/p/1HwkJ
Türkei Fußball Dmitri Tarasov von Lokomotive Moskau mit Putin T-Shirt
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/E. Gurel

With tensions already sky high, Fenerbahce's 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in the UEFA Europa League ended on a sour note.

Lokomotiv's 28-year-old midfielder Dmitri Tarasov stoked tensions in Istanbul by wearing a shirt supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin after the final whistle. The white t-shirt had an image of Russian Putin in military uniform with the slogan "the most polite president."

Diplomatic ties between Russia and Turkey have been tense since November when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane after it violated its border near Syria. Last year, UEFA rejected calls to prevent the two nations from playing each other in European competitions.

"This is my president. I respect him and decided to show that I am ready to support him wherever I am. I wrote on this t-shirt everything that I wanted to say," the midfielder told Russian media after the match.

Lokomotiv have been charged by UEFA with improper conduct by own of their players. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, will also face action due to stairways in the stadium being blocked. The case will held on March 17, 2016.

Despite no serious violence among supporters, the Lokomotiv bus was struck by bottles according to reports and three people were arrested.

rd/sms (AFP, Reuters)