Turkey Recives Worst Punishment Of Fifa History

necro · 02-08-2006, 07:28 AM

Turkey today felt the full wrath of FIFA after they were given severe punishments for the violent clashes involving players and officials at the end of the World Cup play-off against Switzerland.

Following a disciplinary hearing, FIFA have ordered Turkey to play their next six competitive matches behind closed doors on neutral ground.

The sanctions, which apply to official matches and not friendlies, are among the most severe handed out to a national association and will hit Turkey's chances of qualifying for Euro2008.

Newcastle midfielder Emre and former Aston Villa defender Alpay, now at Cologne, have been banned for six matches for their part in the clashes in Istanbul on November 16.

Turkey lost the play-off and after the final whistle players and officials were involved in a mass brawl on the pitch and in the tunnel.

The Turkish FA have also been fined £88,300 (200,000 Swiss francs). Switzerland international Benjamin Huggel has been banned for six matches after he was filmed kicking out at Turkey assistant coach Mehmet Ozdilek, who has himself been banned from all football-related activity for a year.

The violence continued in the tunnel and Swiss defender Stephane Grichting was taken to hospital and needed a catheter inserted after being kicked in the stomach during a free-for-all.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had promised 'we will take tough action' after the scenes and, in terms of international teams, the sanctions are unprecedented.

The disciplinary committee also announced two-match bans for Turkish player Serkan Balci and Swiss physio Stephan Meyer.

Turkey's football federation said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Haluk Ulusoy, president of the Turkish Football Federation, said he was confident CAS would rule in Turkey's favour.

'I'm very sad both for me and for my country but I am a person who loves a struggle,' he told reporters.

Turkey's sports minister Mehmet Ali Sahin told NTV news channel: 'I describe this decision as unacceptable. This is a political decision rather than a sports decision.'

'We are very surprised at the seriousness of the punishments, but we don't want to compare our punishment with the Turkish punishment,' said Pierre Benoit, spokesman for the Swiss FA.

'We don't want to judge the Turkish punishment either. As far as I know Bernard is in Germany with his club (Eintracht Frankfurt) and is talking to his lawyer.'

FIFA launched a widespread investigation the week after the match and interviewed 22 people about the incidents as witnesses or defendants.

Grichting was unable to attend the hearings for medical reasons and submitted his statement in writing.

Punishments

• Turkey ordered to play next six home matches behind closed doors in a neutral venue in another country and to pay all organisational costs with regard to these six matches.
• Turkish FA fined £88,300 plus procedural costs of £8,830.
• Alpay Ozalan (Turkey player) - Suspended for Turkey's next six matches. Fined £6,622 plus costs of £440.
• Emre Belozoglu (Turkey player) - Suspended for Turkey's next six matches. Fined £6,622 plus costs of £440.
• Serkan Balci (Turkey player) - Suspended for Turkey's next two matches. Fined £2,200 plus costs of £220.
• Mehmet Ozdilek (Turkey assistant coach) - Banned from taking part in any football-related activity for 12 months. Fined £6,622 plus costs of £440.
• Benjamin Huggel (Switzerland player) - Suspended for Switzerland's next six matches. Fined £6,622 plus costs of £220.
• Stephan Meyer (Switzerland physiotherapist) - Suspended for Switzerland's next two matches. Fined £2,870 plus costs of £220.

muji · 02-08-2006, 11:26 AM

***** Koyayim Isvicrenin.

plato-ny · 02-09-2006, 01:40 AM

Turkey will decide on the 16th to play in either Germany, Georgia or Bulgaria for their home games. Germany has a large Turkish population but playing there could cause their fans to start trouble.

They could be better off playing in either Georgia or Bulgaria. IMO.

poutismalakas · 02-09-2006, 05:55 PM

I expected the sanctions to be that bad. So what. I don't think that people should really gloat over this because the Turks are out of the WC!!!! If people want to gloat then fine but I think it is really unnecessary but hey to each their own!!!!

besiktas1903 · 02-09-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plato-ny

They could be better off playing in either Georgia or Bulgaria. IMO.

as far as i'm concerned, turkey won't be able to play its games in any neighbour country.
and there is a rumor asserting that they are thinking of playing all of their games in switzerland. but in the end, it will probably turn out to be germany.

plato-ny · 02-09-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besiktas1903

as far as i'm concerned, turkey won't be able to play its games in any neighbour country.
and there is a rumor asserting that they are thinking of playing all of their games in switzerland. but in the end, it will probably turn out to be germany.

On Feb. 16th, Turkey will decide whether to play in Germany, Bulgaria, or Georgia.

muji · 02-10-2006, 09:21 AM

In Germany, and the games would have no crowd so im wondering why ur trolling about our fans making trouble :/ i mean, it's not like we're playing switzerland again..

SiN · 02-11-2006, 02:00 PM

who gives a shit where we are palying, as long as we play and win the frikin matches this time and progress through for gods sake! im sick and tired of this bullshit dudes...

Petalideos · 02-11-2006, 02:16 PM

You are right....this has nothing to do with the fans. The players and coaches are only too blame. A lot more discipline is expected from the team then from Hooligans. FIFA did not take into consideration the fiasco (by the fans) at the airport and other places the hooligans followed the Swiss....had they did....the sanctions would have been worse.

Turkey is not a team to take lightly....with or without fans in attendance. If teams in our group think of getting 3 easy points...they are sadly mistaken.

Personally, as a Greek....I would prefer that our NT walk out of the "Poli" with 3 points and silencing 70,000 fans.

Good luck to all the teams in our group....lets hope for some exciting football on the pitch and hopefully qualifications are played out until the last day.

In Germany, and the games would have no crowd so im wondering why ur trolling about our fans making trouble :/ i mean, it's not like we're playing switzerland again..

necro · 02-14-2006, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plato-ny

Turkey will decide on the 16th to play in either Germany, Georgia or Bulgaria for their home games. Germany has a large Turkish population but playing there could cause their fans to start trouble.

They could be better off playing in either Georgia or Bulgaria. IMO.

Why would they want to play in Bulgaria or Georgia ?????? Doesnt even make sense.... I'll say games will be played in Germany.... Even Switzerland ...Hey why not.

kanaryamerika · 02-17-2006, 01:54 AM

I have posted about this in a seperate thread as well so I won't vent about the penalty, though feel free to read those posts.

I think they should play in Switzerland as close to the FIFA headquarters as possible and every game stage a protest (peaceful ofcourse). And if they win a game there will be no better comback to FIFA.

Unless there is a change in the apeals (which is possible - maybe 1-2 game lightening) Turkey will just have to dig deep and do their best. I really do think this could actually work in Turkey's favor. Every game missing fans, with the silenced stands will be a clear motivation to give it all you got. There is no feeling better in life than to overcome adversities.

kanaryamerika · 02-17-2006, 01:56 AM

poutismalakas, you've said some clear headed stuff, nice work. If it were up to me I'd want Turkey and Greece to come out of this group in either order. Screw all the others.