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FIFA considers Turkey 2010 World Cup ban
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 00:31
"I am disappointed to hear the statement of the FIFA president before the
reports of the match are unveiled," Mehmet Ali Sahin, state minister responsible
for sports, told a news briefing.
Turkey's Emre
Belozoglu (L) scuffles with Switzerland's Christoph Spycher and Valon
Behrami (R) as they run into the dressing room after their World Cup 2006
European zone, second leg play-off qualifying soccer match at the Sukru
Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, November 16, 2005.
[Reuters] | "He spoke as a Swiss fan instead of as
a president... These kinds of statements are misleading the decision-makers."
Earlier, Blatter promised tough action from world soccer's ruling body after
the match in Istanbul which was marred by clashes in the tunnel involving
players from both teams.
The punishment after the inquiry could range from a warning to the suspension
of any football association found to be at fault.
"If such a decision is taken it is going to be very controversial. We expect
FIFA to evaluate the event objectively," Sahin said.
Turkish Football Federation chairman Levent Bicakci also criticised Blatter's
comments.
"Our federation finds the FIFA president's statement really odd and we will
do whatever we can to clarify this event and to make sure that Switzerland gets
the same penalty as Turkey," he told a news conference.
Turkish newspapers reignited anger at the behaviour of the Swiss team during
the two-legged playoff, lashing out at referee Frank de Bleeckere and echoing
Turkey coach Fatih Terim who described the referees as "immoral" and "thieves".
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