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Pressure mounts on TFF to take action against soccer racism
Many criticized the federation for remaining inactive and settling for releasing messages appealing for common sense to prevail. Diyarbakır Bar Association President Emin Aktar said his fellow citizens were faced with discriminatory attitudes anywhere they travel. “People tend to view Diyarbakır residents and Kurds living in the region as potential criminals.
However, we embrace any foreigner in our city. The TFF should take serious measures against acts of discrimination on soccer pitches,” he noted. Aktar's remarks came in the wake of incidents on Saturday, when Bursaspor fans accused Diyarbakırspor players and fans of being “separatists.” Ten people, including children, were injured after supporters of the two teams hurled stones and other projectiles at each other. Five people were detained in connection with the clashes.
In the wake of the accusations and clashes, Diyarbakırspor Chairman Çetin Sümer announced his decision to withdraw his team from the league. Immediately, TFF President Mahmut Özgener started mediation between the two teams. Özgener called a press conference on Monday with Diyarbakırspor Chairman Sümer and Bursaspor Chairman İbrahim Yazıcı and expressed his hope to not see politics or its repercussions in soccer. “Soccer is one of our important values; it brings our country both happiness and grievances. Any act of violence triggered by or harsh reaction shown to politics should not be associated with soccer. It is by no means acceptable to pair the names of a soccer team which has been playing in our country for many years and a terrorist organization,” Özgener stated. The TFF president, however, did not disclose what action the organization is planning to take against Bursaspor.
The Diyarbakırspor chairman said it was unjust to face accusations of separatism during a soccer match. “Diyarbakırspor is not a member of any political or terrorist body. It is the team of the public. Those who wish to make politics should head for Parliament,” he noted. Sümer did not make a statement over whether he still plans to withdraw his team from the league.
Bursaspor Chairman Yazıcı pointed to provocateurs as the cause of clashes during the match. “What was behind these incidents were certain provocations. No Bursaspor fan was behind the incidents. I believe we should act with common sense. Politics should not enter soccer,” he remarked.
Diyarbakır opinion leaders speak against discrimination
Diyarbakır's prominent businessmen and opinion leaders spoke out loudly against the incidents in Bursa and called on the public to respect differences in society.
The provincial chairman of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), Fırat Anlı, said Kurdish citizens would continue to be discriminated against as long as the Kurdish question remains unresolved. “We believe we can live together. However, some circles are disturbed by this picture. Diyarbakırspor is faced with such acts of discrimination in almost all of its games out of the city. The TFF should take action,” Anlı stated.
Raif Türk, the head of the Diyarbakır Industrialists and Businessmen's Association, pointed to provocations before the soccer match as the factor behind the clashes. “Some hooligans tried to create the image that Diyarbakır is the Kurdistan Workers' Party [PKK] itself. Such a mindset is a blow to efforts to restore peace in society,” he remarked.
In the meantime, the vice chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) parliamentary group, Mehmet Şandır, sided with Diyarbakırspor and said no one had the right to label anyone a "terrorist." "Neither Diyarbakır nor Diyarbakırspor is pro-PKK. Do not let Diyarbakırspor withdraw from the league," he said.
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