Turkey condemns mistreatment in Greece sports event

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

Turkey on Sept. 17 condemned the mistreatment of a Turkish sport club during an international handball match in Greece.

On Sept. 13, the women’s handball team of local Turkish club Muratpaşa Belediyespor faced Greece’s PAOK in the first round of EHF European Cup in Veria.

The managers of the Turkish team said Greek authorities did not allow the Turkish flag to be hung at the Filippio Sports Hall, despite the Greek flag hang on in the hall’s wall.

Separately, Greek fans reportedly threw verbal assaults at the Turkish team.

Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoğlu condemned the mistreatment of the Turkish team in Greece.

"The treatment towards the women's handball team of Muratpaşa Belediyespor is not acceptable. Misconducts and attacks on our team are never compatible with the peaceful and friendly spirit of the sport," Kasapoğlu said.

The Turkish official stated that it violates the spirit of the international competition to not allow Turkish flag to hang on the sports hall’s wall white the Greek flag was allowed. He also said the Turkish team was exposed to the heavy harassment and attacks of the rival team fans.

Turkey will launch a legal process against the incident, Kasapoğlu added.