By David Owen
October 15 – French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu has called on UEFA to sanction Turkey after the Turkish team’s players executed another military-style salute in the Stade de France on Monday night.
Thanking French security forces for helping to ensure the smooth running of what was regarded as a high-risk encounter, Maracineanu added: “The Turkish players spoilt these efforts by conducting a military salute, contrary to the sporting spirit. I ask UEFA for an exemplary sanction.”
On a night when football’s ugly side overshadowed events on the pitch in Euro 2020 qualifiers, a disciplined defensive display by Turkey saw them hold the world champions to a 1-1 draw to remain on top of group H.
After the ever-reliable Olivier Giroud had come on as substitute to score with a thumping header in the 76th minute, the obdurate Turks fashioned an equaliser by Kaan Ayhan just five minutes later. It was their only shot on target of the entire evening.
It was the second time in Euro qualifying that Turkish players had used a salute to celebrate scoring, in a gesture interpreted universally as a sign of support for Turkish soldiers. The country last week launched a major offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria in the wake of a recent US announcement that all American troops in the region would leave.
Prior to the match, a joint statement by French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and armed forces minister Florence Parly announced an immediate suspension of the sale of arms that might be deployed in the Turkish offensive in Syria. Le Drian was reported to have decided to snub last night’s match.
UEFA said following the initial Turkish salute in a match against Albania that it would examine the situation.
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