ISTANBUL/MOSCOW

Editor-in-chief of the Russian CSKA Moscow football club television channel apologized for offensive humor in welcoming the transfer of Yusuf Yazici.

The team announced their new arrival with a special video that featured a fake conversation with Yazici on social media.

The Russian club shared the promotional video and wrote: "Yusuf, it's Russia, we have many Natashas here!"

But the team deleted the post after it received backlash.

"I offer my sincere apologies for the presentation, released by our media group. Initially, a completely different script was approved but without a player present it was impossible to shoot it," Katerina Kirilcheva said on Twitter.

"In conditions of lack of time, I wrote this script that turned out to be unsuccessful and inappropriate, and in addition to that - insulting for many. Once again I offer my apologies to our cheerleaders, especially to the girls and personally to Yusuf.”

Yazici joined the team from France's Lille on loan with an option for a permanent transfer. He helped the club win the French Ligue 1 title and French Super Cup in 2021.

The 24-year-old scored 16 goals and had 10 assists in 89 appearances in his 2.5-year stint at Lille.