Fenerbahce fans spark controversy after appearing in blackface to welcome N’Golo Kante after ex-Chelsea star finally secured move to Turkey from Al-Ittihad

Two Fenerbahce fans have caused controversy after appearing to be in blackface when welcoming new signing N’Golo Kante.

Thousands of supporters greeted two-time Premier League winner Kante at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport Istanbul this week as he arrived to complete his move to the Turkish side.

Among the crowd were two who had painted their faces in black, with one seen with Kante’s name written across his forehead.

Footage and pictures from the welcome for Kante showed the fans with blackface as one wore a scarf in the yellow and blue colours of Fenerbahce.

Doing ‘blackface’ is considered racist in certain cultures, although some claim it is meant as a gesture of admiration in Turkey.

Kante, 34, joined Fenerbahce after leaving Al-Ittihad. The French World Cup winner signed for the Saudi Arabian side in 2023 in a deal worth a reported £21.6million per year following his exit from Chelsea as a free agent.

Thousands of supporters gathered at an airport in Istanbul after Kante’s arrival in the city

The former Leicester star’s switch to the Turkish club had been thrown into jeopardy earlier this week when Fenerbahce released a statement blaming Al-Ittihad for its collapse.

It had been claimed the Saudi side failed to register the proper paperwork for the deal, which included Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri moving in the opposite direction, to go through.

But the issues were resolved on Wednesday, with Fenerbahce thanking Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his intervention in a statement announcing the move had been completed.

Erdogan reportedly held talks regarding the Kante deal during his state visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.