Russian footballer provokes Turkey with Putin T-shirt

Russian footballer Dmitri Tarasov provoked anger in Turkey on Tuesday after unveiling a pro-Vladimir Putin t-shirt during Lokomotiv Moscow's Europa League match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Tension is high between the two nations after Turkey shot down a Russian jet they claimed was in their airspace in November.

Tarasov showed off his t-shirt baring the phrase "the most polite president", which also depicted Putin in a navy cap after the match which Fenerbahce won 2-0.

It is likely that governing body Uefa will punish Tarasov and Lokomotiv as political statements are banned during matches.

Dmitri Tarasov and team-mates lost in Istanbul.Credit: Reuters

Following the incident, Tarasov moved to defending himself, telling Russian news 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," he added.

The Turkish press described the act as "a Putin provocation".

Despite the tension between the two countries Uefa have so far refused to separate Turkey and Russia in draws for the Europa and Champions League.