Football
Associated Press 8y

Lokomotiv Moscow's Tarasov wears Vladimir Putin vest at Fenerbahce

Lokomotiv Moscow's Dmitri Tarasov sparked controversy with a picture of Vladimir Putin on his vest while bottles were thrown at the Russian club's team bus in a politically charged game against Turkish side Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Turkish police detained three people after bottles were thrown as the bus headed for Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for the first leg of the teams' Europa League round-of-32 clash, which Fenerbahce won 2-0.

Police said the three people were drunk and that one of the bus' windows was slightly cracked.

Turkish media reported that those responsible were Fenerbahce fans.

Lokomotiv are almost certain to face disciplinary action from European football's ruling body after Russian midfielder Tarasov pulled off his shirt to reveal a portrait of Putin and a slogan supporting the Russian president on his vest.

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."

UEFA does not allow political statements at its competitions.

Tarasov later defended his behaviour, 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.

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