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UEFA reacts to ‘Putin’ chants during Champions League qualifier

Fenerbahce fans
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Fenerbahce fans chanted the name of the Russian president during the Turkish side’s clash against Dynamo Kyiv.

UEFA has launched an investigation into the Champions League qualifying match between Dynamo Kyiv and Fenerbahce. 

The Ukrainian side managed to beat Fenerbahce 2-1, ending the Turkish side’s hopes of playing in the next season’s UCL.

Following Oleksandr Karavayev’s match-winner in the 114th minute, Fenerbahce fans started to chant Vladimir Putin’s name in the stadium.

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Dynamo manager Mircea Lucescu did not attend the press conference after the game. He went on to express his disappointment with the Fenerbahce fans when he spoke to a Ukrainian outlet about the game.

“We cannot accept the behaviour of the fans. I did not expect such chants. It is a pity,” the manager told Expres.

UEFA released a statement on Thursday, vowing to launch an investigation into the incident.

“In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding alleged misbehaviour of Fenerbahce supporters during the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, second leg match between Fenerbahce SK and FC Dynamo Kyiv played on 27 July 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey,” the statement read.

Dynamo Kyiv will face Austrian side Sturm Graz in their third Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. 

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