Fenerbahce Slammed by Dynamo Kyiv for Taking Part in Russian Tournament
Ukraine’s Dynamo Kyiv have slammed Turkish side Fenerbahce for taking part in a tournament in Russia, calling them a club with “no honour, no shame, no conscience”. The Turkish side are set to play at Zenit St Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena on Sunday, despite the Russian teams being suspended from playing in Fifa and Uefa competitions since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a strongly-worded statement, Dynamo said that “the entire civilized world has rallied against aggression and massacres” and accused Fenerbahce of “shameful behaviour” in this “trip to the killer without morals and human qualities”. The statement continued, “We are not afraid to tell the whole world: you are helping the killers to continue the bloody harvest on Ukrainian soil. You play along with them and legitimise the main evil of the 21st century.”
Fenerbahce Punished by Uefa Last Season
Fenerbahce were punished by Uefa last season after fans chanted Russian president Vladimir Putin’s name in a Champions League match against Dynamo. Uefa fined Fenerbahce 50,000 euros (£42,000) and gave the Turkish Super League runners-up a one-game partial stadium closure (at least 5,000 seats) for their next European game – suspended for two years – after fans chanted Putin’s name in last July’s home leg of their Champions League qualifying defeat to Dynamo.
Thousands of Fenerbahce supporters joined in the chant after their team conceded a goal to Dynamo in the 2-1 loss in Istanbul. At the time, Fenerbahce, who have not yet responded to Dynamo’s statement, said the fans’ actions did not represent the club or its “corporate stance in any way” and insisted “sports and politics should always be kept separate”.
Dynamo Kyiv: Nothing Can Justify This Step
Dynamo Kyiv have been vocal in their criticism of Fenerbahce’s decision to take part in the tournament. They said, “You go on tour to earn money and play along with the aggressor. Nothing can justify this step. When the fans chanted the name of the killer country and came to the match against Dynamo in the masks of the main sadist of Europe, your club was silent. Now it is clear why.”
Fenerbahce Playing Zenit St Petersburg, Red Star Belgrade and Azerbaijan Side Neftci
Fenerbahce are playing Zenit St Petersburg, Red Star Belgrade and Azerbaijan side Neftci in the Pari Premier Cup from Sunday. The tournament is set to take place at Zenit St Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena despite the Russian teams being suspended from playing in Fifa and Uefa competitions since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Conclusion
The decision by Fenerbahce to take part in a tournament in Russia has been met with criticism from Dynamo Kyiv who have called them a club with “no honour, no shame, no conscience”. Uefa fined Fenerbahce 50,000 euros (£42,000) and gave them a one-game partial stadium closure (at least 5,000 seats) for their next European game – suspended for two years – after fans chanted Putin’s name in last July’s home leg of their Champions League qualifying defeat to Dynamo. It remains to be seen how Fenerbahce will respond to Dynamo’s statement.