The police stopped German Saturday (July 6, 2024) Turkish fans march hours before the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 quarter-final match following many made the controversial “Grey Wolves” gesture. German police said on Twitter that “fan marches are not a platform for political messages.”
In another context, it was decided to temporarily close the two official fan zones in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (the German parliament building) and evacuate them of fans due to impending storms, according to the organizing committee.
There is anger among the Turks due to the decision of the European Football Association “UEFA”. By stopping defender Merih Demiral Two matches following making a “wolf salute” gesture during the celebration of the 2-1 win over Austria in the round of 16. UEFA considered the salute to be of a far-right nature once morest ethnic minorities in Turkey, but Turkish officials denied this.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to arrive at the stadium shortly before kick-off, and has defended the “salute”. Erdogan’s office told the German Press Agency (dpa) that the Turkish president will leave the Olympic Stadium in Berlin immediately following the match and return to Turkey. He defended Erdogan About this reference, he said that the Turkish player expressed His enthusiasm for this celebration.
For its part, the Turkish channel (TRT) described the decision of the European Football Association as a scandal, while Mehmet Buyukceksi, President of the Turkish Football Federation, commented by saying, “A political, illegal and unacceptable decision.”
The former German player posted: Mesut Ozil A picture of Demiral celebrating in an attempt to support the Turks before the quarter-final match at Euro 2024. Ozil posted the picture hours before the match, saying: “Forward Turkey”, confirming in another post that he will be attending the match.
Ozil’s football career in Germany ended following a photo of him with Erdogan in 2018 sparked angry reactions in Germany regarding the loyalty of the Turkish player born in Germany.
K.S./A.Kh (dpa)
Politics and football… a marriage that continues despite calls for divorce!
Politics and sports often overlap on the field. These are the most prominent events in which the two have been mixed, despite attempts to separate them.
Photo by: picture-alliance/Zumapress/M. Llop
During a tour of Russia’s World Cup preparations early last month in Sochi, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Putin: “You can make this the best World Cup in history.” Putin responded by demanding that the players play “pure football.” It’s not clear whether the host president meant that he feared politics in his country’s stadiums. But if so, are his concerns real?
Photo by: picture-alliance/Russian Look/Kremlin Pool
Argentina apologizes for meeting Israel in Jerusalem
The appeal by the Palestinian Football Association was heeded, and the last friendly match scheduled between Argentina and Israel was cancelled. That Jerusalem will be the venue for the meeting on the green field is a new recognition that it is a capital and not an occupied territory, say pro-Palestinian voices, while Israeli officials respond by declaring their regret that hate speech has succeeded in its quest.
Photo by: Getty Images/AFP/H. Bader
The Israeli flag also caused a stir when Ghanaian defender John Pitsell waved it following his country’s victory over the Czech Republic. The wave of criticism over the move led to the Ghana Football Association apologizing for the move.
Photo by: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Weihrauch
Abu Trika.. sympathizes with Gaza
Egyptian Al-Ahly player Mohamed Aboutrika has created a special place for himself in the hearts of many Arabs following a photo in which he lifted his country’s national team shirt to show the phrase “In sympathy with Gaza” underneath it while celebrating his goal once morest Sudan in the African Nations Championship in 2008. He received a yellow card at the time, but gained great popularity for expressing his solidarity with the people of the Strip in the face of the siege imposed on them.
Image from: Twitter/ Yasser Ashour
Egypt-Algeria match crisis in Omdurman
The clashes between the Egyptian and Algerian fans in the World Cup qualifiers in both countries have reached an unprecedented stage of tension and media squabbling. The violence and insults have moved from the Omdurman stadium to television screens and in front of the Algerian embassy building in Cairo. Later, many accused the Egyptian state media of planning the matter.
Photo by: Getty Images/AFP/K. Desouki
beIN Sports and the crisis of broadcasting matches
The Saudi public became certain that it would not watch its national team’s matches in the World Cup following negotiations to conclude a deal with the Qatari beIN Sports network failed, under which Saudi television would obtain the right to broadcast the Kingdom’s national team’s matches. Given the boycott between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, FIFA mediated between them, but the efforts ultimately failed. Politics deprives the public of enjoying the beautiful game.
Image from: picture alliance/sampics/C. Pahnke
Tamim’s photo in “Gulf 23”
The Gulf crisis was another opportunity for politics to appear on the field. The 23rd Gulf Cup was threatened with cancellation if it was held in Qatar, but the return of sports activities to Kuwait was a lifeline while mutual tension dominated the atmosphere of the tournament. A picture of player Hassan Al-Haydosi wearing a shirt with the face of the Emir of Qatar drawn on it spread like wildfire, and news circulated at the time regarding the withdrawal of the Saudi national team, which was later denied by the head of the General Sports Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh.
Photo by: Reuters/I. Al Omari
Ultras in Egypt.. Non-stop persecution
In Egypt, the two prominent teams’ fan clubs, Al-Ahly and Zamalek, have also turned into groups that the authorities fear, arrest their members, and enter into negotiations with their leaders. The songs of these groups were chants in Tahrir Square during the revolution of January 25, 2011, and were also heard in the stadium stands. However, their voices have disappeared with the insistence on preventing fans from attending matches “for security reasons.”
Photo by: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/A. Sayed
At the time, it looked like just a banner. Galatasaray fans had drawn Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky face and the word “Rise Up.” But pro-government media linked the banner to a speech by Turkish opposition figure Fethullah Gulen. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s office said it was investigating whether it was linked to the 2016 coup attempt.
Image from: Twitter/Galatasaray
Catalonia’s secession crisis moves to Barcelona stands
Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium has been transformed from a destination for fans of the Catalan team into a political arena to remind people of the region’s positions that want to separate from Spain. The voices of the fans stop cheering for the players and throats turn at the 14th and 17th minutes with screams of desire to separate, and a reminder of what happened during the siege of the city in 1714.
Photo by: picture-alliance/Zumapress/M. Llop
sfarsit articol
German police stopped Turkish fans from marching on Saturday (July 6, 2024) hours before the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 quarter-final match. Many fans had made the controversial “Grey Wolves” gesture. German police said on Twitter that “fan marches are not a platform for political messages.”
In a separate incident, the organizing committee decided to temporarily close the two official fan zones in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (the German parliament building) and evacuate fans due to impending storms.
There is anger among Turks over the decision of the European Football Association “UEFA”. After making a “wolf salute” gesture during the celebration of their 2-1 win over Austria in the round of 16, UEFA decided to suspend defender Merih Demiral for two matches. UEFA considered the salute to be of a far-right nature once morest ethnic minorities in Turkey, but Turkish officials denied this.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to arrive at the stadium shortly before kick-off and has defended the “salute”. Erdogan’s office told the German Press Agency (dpa) that the Turkish president will leave the Olympic Stadium in Berlin immediately following the match and return to Turkey. He defended himself regarding this reference, saying that the Turkish player expressed his enthusiasm for the celebration.
The Turkish channel (TRT) described the decision of the European Football Association as a scandal, while Mehmet Buyukceksi, President of the Turkish Football Federation, called it a “political, illegal and unacceptable decision.”
Former German player Mesut Ozil posted a picture of Demiral celebrating in an attempt to support the Turks before the Euro 2024 quarter-final match. Ozil posted the picture hours before the match, saying: “Forward Turkey.” He confirmed in another post that he will be attending the match.
Ozil’s football career in Germany ended following a photo of him with Erdogan in 2018 sparked angry reactions in Germany regarding the loyalty of the Turkish player born in Germany.
K.S./A.Kh (dpa)
Politics and football… a marriage that continues despite calls for divorce!
Politics and sports often overlap on the field. These are the most prominent events in which the two have been mixed, despite attempts to separate them.
Photo by: picture-alliance/Zumapress/M. Llop
During a tour of Russia’s World Cup preparations early last month in Sochi, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Putin: “You can make this the best World Cup in history.” Putin responded by demanding that the players play “pure football.” It’s not clear whether the host president meant that he feared politics in his country’s stadiums. But if so, are his concerns real?
Photo by: picture-alliance/Russian Look/Kremlin Pool
Argentina apologizes for meeting Israel in Jerusalem
The appeal by the Palestinian Football Association was heeded, and the last friendly match scheduled between Argentina and Israel was cancelled. That Jerusalem will be the venue for the meeting on the green field is a new recognition that it is a capital and not an occupied territory, say pro-Palestinian voices, while Israeli officials respond by declaring their regret that hate speech has succeeded in its quest.
Photo by: Getty Images/AFP/H. Bader
The Israeli flag also caused a stir when Ghanaian defender John Pitsell waved it following his country’s victory over the Czech Republic. The wave of criticism over the move led to the Ghana Football Association apologizing for the move.
Photo by: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Weihrauch
Abu Trika.. sympathizes with Gaza
Egyptian Al-Ahly player Mohamed Aboutrika has created a special place for himself in the hearts of many Arabs following a photo in which he lifted his country’s national team shirt to show the phrase “In sympathy with Gaza” underneath it while celebrating his goal once morest Sudan in the African Nations Championship in 2008. He received a yellow card at the time, but gained great popularity for expressing his solidarity with the people of the Strip in the face of the siege imposed on them.
Image from: Twitter/ Yasser Ashour
Egypt-Algeria match crisis in Omdurman
The clashes between the Egyptian and Algerian fans in the World Cup qualifiers in both countries have reached an unprecedented stage of tension and media squabbling. The violence and insults have moved from the Omdurman stadium to television screens and in front of the Algerian embassy building in Cairo. Later, many accused the Egyptian state media of planning the matter.
Photo by: Getty Images/AFP/K. Desouki
beIN Sports and the crisis of broadcasting matches
The Saudi public became certain that it would not watch its national team’s matches in the World Cup following negotiations to conclude a deal with the Qatari beIN Sports network failed, under which Saudi television would obtain the right to broadcast the Kingdom’s national team’s matches. Given the boycott between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, FIFA mediated between them, but the efforts ultimately failed. Politics deprives the public of enjoying the beautiful game.
Image from: picture alliance/sampics/C. Pahnke
Tamim’s photo in “Gulf 23”
The Gulf crisis was another opportunity for politics to appear on the field. The 23rd Gulf Cup was threatened with cancellation if it was held in Qatar, but the return of sports activities to Kuwait was a lifeline while mutual tension dominated the atmosphere of the tournament. A picture of player Hassan Al-Haydosi wearing a shirt with the face of the Emir of Qatar drawn on it spread like wildfire, and news circulated at the time regarding the withdrawal of the Saudi national team, which was later denied by the head of the General Sports Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh.
Photo by: Reuters/I. Al Omari
Ultras in Egypt.. Non-stop persecution
In Egypt, the two prominent teams’ fan clubs, Al-Ahly and Zamalek, have also turned into groups that the authorities fear, arrest their members, and enter into negotiations with their leaders. The songs of these groups were chants in Tahrir Square during the revolution of January 25, 2011, and were also heard in the stadium stands. However, their voices have disappeared with the insistence on preventing fans from attending matches “for security reasons.”
Photo by: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/A. Sayed
At the time, it looked like just a banner. Galatasaray fans had drawn Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky face and the word “Rise Up.” But pro-government media linked the banner to a speech by Turkish opposition figure Fethullah Gulen. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s office said it was investigating whether it was linked to the 2016 coup attempt.
Image from: Twitter/Galatasaray
Catalonia’s secession crisis moves to Barcelona stands
Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium has been transformed from a destination for fans of the Catalan team into a political arena to remind people of the region’s positions that want to separate from Spain. The voices of the fans stop cheering for the players and throats turn at the 14th and 17th minutes with screams of desire to separate, and a reminder of what happened during the siege of the city in 1714.
Photo by: picture-alliance/Zumapress/M. Llop
Politics and Football: A Symbiotic Relationship Despite Calls for Separation
The world of sports, particularly football, is often seen as an escape from the complexities of real life. However, the lines between politics and football have blurred over the years, proving that the two realms are inextricably linked. This contentious relationship has been a recurring theme throughout history, with various events highlighting the undeniable influence of politics on the beautiful game.
Football as a Political Stage: A History of Intertwined Destinies
Football, with its global reach and passionate following, has inadvertently become a platform for political statements and expressions. From the grand stage of the World Cup to domestic leagues, political undertones have reverberated throughout the sport, often igniting controversies and sparking debates.
A Look at Notable Events
Here are some prominent instances where politics and football intertwined, despite attempts to keep them separate:
| Event |
Impact |
| Infantino in Sochi |
FIFA President’s visit during Russia’s World Cup preparations raised questions regarding political interference in the sport. |
| Argentina Apologizes for Meeting Israel in Jerusalem |
The planned friendly match sparked controversy, highlighting the sensitive nature of political issues related to Jerusalem. |
| Ghanaian Player Waves Israeli Flag After Victory |
The move sparked criticism, leading to the Ghana Football Association issuing an apology. |
| Mohamed Aboutrika’s “In Sympathy with Gaza” Gesture |
The Egyptian player’s act of solidarity with Gaza gained immense popularity, demonstrating the power of sports for social messaging. |
| Egypt-Algeria Match Crisis in Omdurman |
Violent clashes between fans escalated into media squabbling, illustrating the deep-seated political tensions between the two nations. |
| beIN Sports and the Broadcasting Crisis |
Geopolitical tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia influenced the broadcasting rights for the World Cup, highlighting the impact of politics on fan access to matches. |
| Tamim’s Photo in “Gulf 23” |
The Gulf crisis influenced the 23rd Gulf Cup, highlighting the role of politics in international sporting events. |
| Ultras in Egypt: Non-Stop Persecution |
Egyptian authorities’ crackdown on fan clubs underscores the control over sports as a means of political expression. |
| Galatasaray’s Rocky Banner Controversy |
A banner depicting Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky was seen as a political statement, reflecting the Turkish government’s sensitivity towards dissent. |
| Catalonia’s Secession Crisis Moves to Barcelona Stands |
Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium transformed into a political stage for Catalan independence supporters. |
Navigating the Complex Relationship
The relationship between football and politics, despite attempts to separate them, is undeniably intertwined. It is crucial to acknowledge the political forces at play and their influence on the sport. However, it is equally essential to protect the integrity of the game and its ability to bring people together.
The Search for Harmony
Striving for a balance between political expression and the spirit of sportsmanship is a constant endeavor. While recognizing political realities, efforts should be made to keep the focus on the game itself, fostering unity and enjoyment for fans worldwide.
The Future of Football and Politics
As football continues to evolve, the relationship with politics will remain a complex and dynamic one. Recognizing the challenges and potential pitfalls, fostering dialogue, and ensuring ethical practices are vital to maintain the integrity and enjoyment of the beautiful game.
