Turkish Forum

Tag: football

  • Mocking Çanakkale

    Mocking Çanakkale

    Mocking Çanakkale ( Gallipoli ) Türkiye and Australia. By Portraying a Soccer Match as “Revenge for Gallipoli”

    Mocking Çanakkale ( Gallipoli )  for Sports Humor Dishonors the Fallen and Distorts History. 

    Not on my watch will I stay mute.

    The article by Clancy Overell is not clever satire it is a deeply offensive attempt to trivialize one of the most tragic chapters in the shared history of Türkiye and Australia. By portraying a soccer match as “revenge for Gallipoli,” the author reduces the sacrifice of thousands of young men on both sides to a cheap sporting joke and undermines a friendship that was forged through unimaginable loss and later transformed into one of mutual respect and brotherhood.

     Article link below:

    https://www.betootaadvocate.com/australia-finally-get-revenge-for-gallipoli-as-turks-ambushed-by-our-brave-socceroos

    Gallipoli was never about revenge. It became a symbol of reconciliation. The battlefield of Çanakkale produced not hatred, but a lasting bond between Australians, New Zealanders, and Turks. The men who fought there earned each other’s respect through courage and sacrifice.

    In 1915, while defending his homeland, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk told his soldiers: “I am not ordering you to attack, I am ordering you to die.” He later became the founder of the modern Republic of Türkiye and emerged as a statesman dedicated to peace and reconciliation.

    His immortal words to the mothers of the fallen ANZACs remain one of the greatest tributes to peace ever spoken:

    “There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours… After having lost their lives on this land, they become our sons as well.”

    These words transformed former enemies into friends and created a relationship that has endured for more than a century. Türkiye, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many other nations continue to honor that shared history together.

    To invoke Gallipoli as a vehicle for mocking Turks or celebrating “revenge” is irresponsible and disrespectful. It does nothing to strengthen understanding between peoples. More troubling, it contributes to a broader pattern of rhetoric that seeks to caricature and delegitimize the Turkish nation and its people.

    No article, no headline, and no misguided attempt at humor will damage the brotherhood forged at Çanakkale. The friendship between Türkiye and Australia is built on mutual respect, remembrance, and peace and it is far stronger than the divisive words of any commentator.

    Ibrahim Kurtulus 

    Community Activist 

    New York – Staten Island.

    cc:   Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations, New York

    All The Australian Consulate-General’s in United States 

  • FIFA Boss Could Be Questioned ‘Under Arrest’

    FIFA Boss Could Be Questioned ‘Under Arrest’

    FBIThe US investigation into football corruption could pose a “real threat” to Sepp Blatter, a former legal chief tells Sky News.

    The former Director of Public Prosecutions has told Sky News he expects Sepp Blatter will be questioned as part of the US investigation into corruption – possibly under arrest.

    Mr Blatter won a fifth term as FIFA president on Friday despite widespread calls for him to resign after seven officials were arrested last week in Zurich on a US warrant.

    The arrests were connected to a bribery scandal being investigated by American, Swiss and other law enforcement agencies.

    Lord Macdonald told Sky’s Murnaghan programme: “I think the real threat to Mr Blatter doesn’t come from the Swiss, it comes from the US, their anti-racketeering legislation and co-operating accomplices.

    “Jack Warner, the FIFA man who has been arrested in Trinidad, has already said to the press ‘if I’m going down, why isn’t he being arrested as well?’ referring to Mr Blatter.

    “I think the risk to Mr Blatter is this developing investigation in Washington. I think the Americans will want to talk to Mr Blatter and they may do it under arrest.”

    It comes as Labour urged David Cameron to hold an emergency summit over FIFA corruption claims to ensure Britain does not “idly stand by”.

    Shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant wants politicians, the English Football Association, British sponsors and broadcasters to establish a “common position”  and give “serious consideration” to withdrawing from all future FIFA competitions.

    In the letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Bryant said Britain “cannot just be commentators or spectators” amid calls to boycott the World Cup after Mr Blatter was re-elected as leader despite the arrests.

    A total of 14 people connected to football – including the seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich – have been indicted on corruption charges by the US.

    Mr Blatter is not named in the US indictment and denies any personal involvement in alleged acts of bribery.

    During a news conference in Switzerland on Saturday, he was asked by Sky News if he authorised a $10m bribe to the disgraced official Jack Warner.

    “Definitely that’s not me. I have no $10m,” Mr Blatter replied.

    The allegation is contained in the US indictment which states, “a high-ranking FIFA official caused payments… totalling 10 million – to be wired from a FIFA account in Switzerland to a Bank of America correspondent account in New York … controlled by Jack Warner”.

    When Mr Blatter was asked if he was worried about being arrested in the corruption investigation, he responded curtly: “Arrested for what? Next question.” Meanwhile, Barclays has launched an internal review into whether it was used for illegal payments by FIFA officials, a source told AFP news agency.

    Meanwhile, Barclays has launched an internal review into whether it was used for illegal payments by FIFA officials, a source told AFP news agency.

    It was one of the three banks with British headquarters named in the US indictment.

    Another, Standard Chartered, said on Friday: “We are aware that two payments cleared by Standard Chartered are mentioned in the indictment. We are looking into those payments.”

    The third named bank, HSBC, has so far declined to comment.

    It comes after Prince William urged FIFA to reform and show “it can represent the interests of fair play”.

    The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the Football Association, has asked sponsors to press for changes at FIFA.

    FA chairman Greg Dyke has said Britain will not be able to make a stand against FIFA without wider support.

    “Putting pressure on Sepp Blatter is pretty impossible,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.

    “But putting pressure on other footballing nations and putting pressure on sponsors is a good idea, I think.”

  • Gundogan: Choosing Germany over Turkey most difficult decision of my career

    Gundogan: Choosing Germany over Turkey most difficult decision of my career

    Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed that choosing to represent Germany over Turkey was the hardest choice of his career to date.

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    The 22-year-old is Turkish-born but represented die Mannschaft throughout his youth career and has four caps with the senior team to date.

    The BVB star told Ntvspor: “It was one of the most difficult decisions of my career.

    “I grew up in Germany and went to school there. Also, I started to play football in Germany.

    “Two days after the Germany’s invite, Turkey invited me too. I decided to choose Germany and then they called me up to play against Belgium in my first match.”

    Gundogan also exclaimed that there has been interest from clubs in Turkey but insists that he is currently extremely happy under head coach Jurgen Klopp, and also claimed he would turn away English and Spanish overtures, for now at least.

    “Three big Turkish clubs wanted to sign me but I refused them,” he said.

    “One day I want to play in La Liga or the Premier League but now I’m happy and I want to play for Dortmund until 2015.

    “I’m very happy to work with Jurgen Klopp. He is like my father.”

    via Gundogan: Choosing Germany over Turkey most difficult decision of my career – Yahoo! Sports Singapore.

  • Toni Schumacher: Turkey is a great promoter of football

    Toni Schumacher: Turkey is a great promoter of football

    The former West Germany international has insisted that his time with Fenerbahce was simply amazing, and feels it is a surprise that the national side have failed to perform on the big stage

    Former FC Koln, FC Schalke 04 and Fenerbahce custodian Toni Schumacher has stressed that the environment in Turkish stadiums is unparalleled in the game. He claimed that people in Turkey take football very seriously as he plied his trade with the Istanbul side for three years.

    The Germany legend was left in awe with the sporting traditions in the country. He stated that it is a treat for football fanatics to experience a game in Turkey. The 2013 Under-20 World Cup will be hosted in the country and the former coach suggested that it is a wise decision to hold the competition there.

    “To experience a match in a Turkish stadium with these supporters is the ultimate for any football fan,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.

    The 58-year-old believes that the locals will be honoured to organise the event as it is a golden opportunity for them to display their love for football. He expects the Turkish people to make sure that this will become a successful event. Moreover, it will present a good chance for the youngsters to show their talent at crowded stadiums.

    “Knowing the Turkish people as I do, they’ll be unbelievably proud to host this tournament. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to show what they can do. I’m sure they’ll take this chance and do everything they can to make sure everyone has a great time,” he added.

    “The stadiums are going to be packed and it’s going to be something really special for all the young players involved,” he finally concluded.

    Toni played 65 games for the Kadikoy outfit and helped them win the domestic league in 1989. He further added that Turkey can do well in the tournament as they have a lot of potential in their ranks. He revealed that even though they have not featured regularly in the major competitions, they are recognised as a very good and creative team.

    via Toni Schumacher: Turkey is a great promoter of football | bettor.com.

  • UEFA congress begins in Istanbul

    UEFA congress begins in Istanbul

    By IANS,

    Istanbul : The 36th Congress of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) began in Istanbul Thursday with participation of representatives from 53 member associations.

    GettyImagesUEFA president Michel Platini (L) shakes hands with European Club Association Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

    FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter, UEFA President Michel Platini and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among those present at the meeting.

    The congress will listen to reports of the UEFA President and the Executive Committee and Report of the UEFA Administration 2010/11, reports on the UEFA committees’ activities.

    Also on the agenda are the annual UEFA statement of accounts for 2010/11 and discussion on the budget for the 2012/13 financial year, and European Social Dialogue: Approval of agreement on minimum player contract requirements.

    Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a passionate football fan, spoke of the need for football to be a symbol of peace and friendship.

    He urged continued work and investment to encourage as many young people as possible to become involved in sport, and called on sport to fight negative phenomena such as match-fixing and racism.

    “I’d like to thank UEFA for coming back to Turkey and Istanbul. Turkey is a country which is in love with football and whose people contribute to football. We are building new facilities and are making our presence more noticeable,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

    Istanbul had hosted the 2005 UEFA Champions League final and 2009 UEFA Cup final in recent years, and Antalya will stage the UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship this summer. In addition, Turkey will stage the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

    Blatter highlighted the importance of UEFA to the world football movement. “Thank you to the UEFA Executive Committee and the UEFA President Michel Platini for the excellent relationship which exists between UEFA and FIFA,” he said. “Congratulations to Europe for all the efforts that you are making to ensure that the game remains a game.”

    via UEFA congress begins in Istanbul | TwoCircles.net.

  • MP’s talks over Leeds United fan deaths in Turkey

    MP’s talks over Leeds United fan deaths in Turkey

    Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton

    An MP has held talks with a Turkish diplomat in an attempt to get justice for two Leeds United fans who were murdered in the country 10 years ago.

    Chris Loftus, 35, and Kevin Speight, 40, were killed in Istanbul on the eve of Leeds’ Uefa Cup semi-final against Galatasaray on 5 April 2000.

    Four men were convicted of involvement in the murders but were bailed pending an appeal which has still to be heard.

    Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton* said his talk with the Turkish ambassador went well.

    He said: “I was impressed at how articulate he was and how concerned he was that this particular case is a running sore in Anglo-Turkish relations.

    “It’s something that he wants to see put to bed, not just for the sake of the relationship between our two countries but he was very concerned and expressed a lot of concern about the families of the victims.”

    Wreaths laid

    Mr Hamilton hopes Turkey’s aspiration to join the European Union could be used as leverage to get progress in the long-delayed case.

    He said the recently-appointed ambassador said the Turkish government could not directly interfere in judicial proceedings.

    “But I pointed out to him that Turkey is an aspiring member of the European Union and we do want Turkey to join the European Union, all political parties here in great Britain are in favour,” he said.

    “But this issue has to be resolved because it’s symptomatic of a judicial system that is not working fairly and transparently.”

    Mr Hamilton has campaigned for justice alongside the men’s families.

    In April about 300 fans joined them to mark the 10th anniversary of the deaths by laying wreaths at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-11220754, 7 September 2010

    * “New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry” by Jessica Elgot, The Jewish Chronicle, May 14, 2010