International footballers remarks on social issues stir controversy in Turkey
Athletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan and Fenerbahce midfielder Emre Belözoglu expressed their feelings and thoughts on social problems in of the most uncommon post-game interviews in Turkey football history.
Arda Turan goal is bestowed to the martyred sons and daughters of all the turkish peoples
Two Turkish national football team players have gone beyond the post-game interview clichés and rather than answering common questions like the chances of Turkey in the ongoing competition or the individual performances of Turkey national team, they joined the debate on two issues of national significance for the entire Turkey. Arda Turan, who completed a move last month from Galatasaray Istanbul to Spain’s Atletico Madrid, expressed his feelings after the EURO 2012 qualifier against Kazakhstan where he scored a most crucial last minute game-winner in saying”these victory is for the martyrs of all the peoples of Turkey.” ”I would love to bestow my goal to the martyred sons and daughters of all the peoples of the Turkish Republic. I do not want any more terror and fighting in my country, just like any other Turkish citizen.”” We talked this in the dressing room and my teammates share this feelings.”
His word stirred an instant controversy in Turkey, starting hot debates on social media and press. Arda Turan explained his words. “I do not want people to die,” he cited. “We receive stories of deaths everyday. We have soldiers dying as well as young people who were tricked into going to the mountains and dying there. Nothing can justify death. We have lived together in peace in these lands for years”. Asked if his words are related with his move to Spain, the former Galatasaray captain stated his comments had nothing to do now that he is living and playin outside of Turkey. “I said similar things earlier here, in my country,” answered Arda Turan. “For example I had talked on the same issue with former [Australian] teammate Harry Kewell on ‘Anzac Day.”’
Turkish Football players should gather under an union
While Arda sent messages of peace, the other captain of Turkey International Football team Emre Belezoglu focused on the labor struggle of Turkish football players, giving examples from important football leagues in Europe. “Unfortunately, the football players in Turkey are not organized,” he complained in his post-game interview. Recalling the existence of players’ unions in England and Spain and their importance the Fenerbahce midfielder continued “I believe that we, the footballers in Turkey have a lower level of human rights than the players in England and Spain.”
The remarks and comments from Arda and Emre received generally warm responses from a number of prominent figures, including deputies in the Turkish parliament and heads of numerous Unions, while comments at social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook showed divergence.
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