Turkish players celebrate France goal with another military-style salute as Uefa open investigation into initial incident
TURKEY players have shown disdain for a Uefa investigation into a military salute against Albania on Friday by repeating it away to France on Monday night. Having celebrated Everton striker Cenk Tosun’s winner in Istanbul with a mass salute, Turkey hailed Kaan Ayhan’s late equaliser in Paris three days later in identical fashion. Uefa, which […]
TURKEY players have shown disdain for a Uefa investigation into a military salute against Albania on Friday by repeating it away to France on Monday night.
Having celebrated Everton striker Cenk Tosun’s winner in Istanbul with a mass salute, Turkey hailed Kaan Ayhan’s late equaliser in Paris three days later in identical fashion.
Uefa, which has banned political gestures, confirmed earlier on Monday it would look into Friday’s controversial scene.
Turkey’s gesture that night was exacerbated bv Tosun posting the salute photo on Instagram alongside the message: “For our nation, especially for the ones who are risking their lives for our nation.”
And the Turkish Football Federation also put up an image of their players and staff saluting in the dressing room.
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Their accompanying words read: “At the end of the road lies the championship! After seven matches we continue our leadership in the Euro 2020 Qualifying Group H. We give this win to all our hero soldiers.”
And if Uefa view that incident dimly, they will surely escalate the probe after Monday evening’s celebrations.
Turkey were ecstatic after cancelling out Olivier Giroud’s 76th minute opener as it kept them clear of the reigning World Cup champions on goal difference in Euro 2020 qualifying Group H.
It mirrored the scenes led by Tosun last Friday.
Turkey celebrated wildly, jumping over advertising hoardings.
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And after returning to the pitch, Tosun led his team in a stand of defiance, with their right hand touching the side of their head in a solider-like signal.
Tosun’s resulting Instagram message all but confirmed the salute was in support of Turkey’s controversial military action in Syria.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is trying to create a safe area in northern Syria, but the action is hitting hard against Kurds who helped defeat the so-called Islamic State Isis.