Russian club lands in hot water over sexist announcement video
Robin Bairner
- 20 Jan 2022 06:00 CST
- 3 min read
CSKA Moscow have been forced into an apology for a transfer announcement video that they released when announcing a deal had been struck with Lille for creative midfielder Yusuf Yazici.
The 32-time capped Turkey international completed a switch to the RPL club on Wednesday via a loan deal, yet it is a transfer that has received a good deal of unwelcome attention.
Transfer announcement videos have become part and parcel of social media strategy for clubs around the globe, but on occasion they can backfire, and this was one such instance.
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Yazici caught up in controversy
Fans will be well accustomed to seeing such announcements come in the form of chats, whether via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or Instagram.
This was the model that CSKA used for their ill-fated announcement, which contained the phrase: “Yusuf, it’s Russia, we have many Natashas here!” followed by a winking face.
A ‘Natasha’ in Russia is the stereotypical name of a woman with loose sexual morals and was portrayed to prompt a quick response from Yazici, so naturally it was quick to catch the eye.
CSKA Moscow’un Yusuf Yazıcı’yı takdim ettiği video büyük bir skandal! pic.twitter.com/Mz6H8ahV0O
— Tribun Dergi (@tribundergi) January 19, 2022
It was a little too quick for CSKA, though, who rapidly became the centre of a social media storm and were forced into backtracking and apologising.
In a message that was published via the club’s social networks, CSKA Moscow spokeswoman Katerina Kirilcheva stated:
“My sincere apologies for the presentation video that was published by our media group. Initially, we had the script for the video, but in the player’s absence it was impossible to shoot the footage we needed. Given the time constraints, I came up with another script that was unfortunate and inappropriate, and for many, also offensive.
“Once again, I apologise to our fans, especially ladies, and to Yusuf personally.”
