Turkey criticizes France over request for UEFA sanction

Turkey criticizes France over request for UEFA sanction

ISTANBUL-Anadolu Agency

Turkey on Oct. 15 criticized France over a request for UEFA sanctions on the Turkish National Football Team for performing a military salute.

Claiming the salutes at the end of the Oct. 14 match were “contrary to the spirit of sports,” French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu tweeted her request that UEFA take action against Turkey.

Pointing out that French star Antoine Griezmann gave a similar salute this June, Turkey's Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu said: "Whoever said nothing about Griezmann's military salute is trying to distort our footballers' grateful salute."

"l call on UEFA to act sensibly on this investigation request," Kasapoğlu told a press conference.

After drawing France 1-1 in an away match on Oct. 14 to remain at top of Group H in the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifiers, Turkish players celebrated by saluting in tribute to the Turkish soldiers fighting terrorists in Turkey's Operation Peace Spring.

The celebration was not televised by French TV.

LATEST NEWS

  1. Crimean Tatar official named as Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara

  2. CHP's Özel urges 'fair burden sharing' in migration crisis

  3. Trade Ministry eases border procedures for returning Syrians

  4. Parliament approves 2025 budget after weeks of talks

  5. Erdoğan pushes for new, civilian constitution
Recommended

Crimean Tatar official named as Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara

CHP's Özel urges 'fair burden sharing' in migration crisis

Trade Ministry eases border procedures for returning Syrians

Parliament approves 2025 budget after weeks of talks

Erdoğan pushes for new, civilian constitution

Four killed as ambulance helicopter crashes into hospital in Muğla

Parliament speaker pledges full support for peace process in Syria

WORLD

2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire'

Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea on Dec. 22 in "an apparent case of friendly fire," the American military has said.

ECONOMY

Türkiye to receive larger foreign capital: Chamber head

Türkiye is expected to receive larger foreign capital and resource inflows next year as its economy becomes increasingly more stable and incentives investors, according to Erdal Bahçıvan, chairman of the board of directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO).

SPORTS

Fenerbahçe in tatters after Athletic loss

Fenerbahçe headed into turbulent times after a home loss in the Europa League against Athletic Bilbao on Dec. 11 night added to the club’s wounds and sparked fan protests.