17 Feb 2016 13:25

Kremlin spokesman: Lokomotiv player's behavior in Istanbul unlikely caused by rift in Russian-Turkish relations

MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has declined to comment on FC Lokomotiv midfielder Dmitry Tarasov's behavior following an UEFA Europa League round of 32 match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday.

Upon the end of the game, in which Lokomotiv lost 0-2 to Fenerbahce, Tarasov took off his official playing shirt to reveal a T-shirt depicting Putin and the motto which read 'The Most Polite President'.

"I will not comment on football affairs," Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.

He disagreed that Tarasov's behavior could have been prompted by the situation in Russian-Turkish relations.

"I don't think so, I wouldn't comment on this in any way," he said.