UEFA charges Lokomotiv, Russian player for Putin shirt
(about 3 hours later)
ISTANBUL — Bottles were thrown at Lokomotiv Moscow’s team bus and a Russian player sparked controversy on the pitch with a picture of Vladimir Putin on his vest in a politically-charged game against Turkish side Fenerbahce on Tuesday.
ISTANBUL — UEFA says it has charged Lokomotiv Moscow and its player Dmitri Tarasov with improper conduct for revealing a picture of Russian president Vladimir Putin on his t-shirt after a politically charged game in Turkey.
Turkish police detained three people after bottles were thrown as the bus headed for the Europa League match in Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
UEFA rules prohibit political statements at its matches and the laws of football ban players revealing images and slogans on undergarments.
Police said the three people were drunk and that one of the bus’ windows was slightly cracked.
Tarasov took off his team shirt to reveal the Putin vest after Lokomotiv played Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Tuesday. The Russian side lost 2-0 in the Europa League round of 32, first-leg match.
Turkish media reported that those responsible were Fenerbahce fans.
Beneath the portrait of Putin wearing a Russian navy cap, the vest read in Russian: “The most polite president.”
Lokomotiv is almost certain to face disciplinary action from European soccer’s ruling body after its midfielder Dmitri Tarasov pulled off his shirt to reveal a portrait of Putin and a slogan supporting the Russian president on his vest.
Relations between the countries have been tense since November when a Russian warplane was shot down after it violated Turkey’s border near Syria.
Ties between Turkey and Russia have been tense since November when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane after it violated its border near Syria.
Beneath the portrait of Putin, who is wearing a Russian navy cap in the picture, the vest read in Russian: “The most polite president.”
Political statements are not allowed by UEFA at its competitions.
Tarasov later defended his behavior, telling Russian agency R-Sport: “It’s my president. I respect him and decided to show that I’m always with him and prepared to give my support.
“What was written on that shirt was everything that I wanted to say.”
Late last year, UEFA rejected calls to separate Russia and Turkey in the draw for this summer’s European Championship - and also the two countries’ clubs in the Europa League draws.
Tuesday’s first leg match was in the Europa League’s Round of 32.
Lokomotiv lost the game 2-0.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
