The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are also an issue in the football world. Besiktas and Fenerbahce fans protest against Erdogan at the weekend.
Istanbul – Football fans of the two Istanbul clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce have shown their solidarity with the victims in the earthquake areas and the resignation of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government demanded. Critics accuse the Turkish government of having reacted too slowly and inadequately to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria three weeks ago. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 44,000 people in Turkey.
Now the earthquake is becoming a political issue – also in the football world. Besiktas fans threw hundreds of stuffed animals onto the pitch at 4:17 minutes of the game during Sunday’s (26 February) game against Antalyanspor as a symbolic act of remembrance for the earthquake victims. At that time, the earth had trembled almost three weeks ago. The names of the provinces affected by the quake were also displayed on the display board.
After the earthquake in Turkey: football fans from Besiktas and Fenerbahce with statements critical of the government
The supporters of Besiktas Istanbul shouted statements critical of the government such as “hükumet istifa”, i.e. “government, resign!”. Similar scenes played out on Saturday (February 25) in Fenerbahce Istanbul’s 4-0 win over Konyaspor. There the fans chanted: “20 years of lies and fraud, resign!”
On the Turkish TV channel’s Twitter page Haber A short video was released purportedly showing police arresting Beskitas fans at the stadium after they made the anti-government remarks.
Earthquake becomes the central election campaign issue in Turkey
Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 14 in Turkey. Erdogan is aiming for re-election. However, his government’s handling of the earthquake has become a key campaign issue, and criticism is growing louder. The opposition also accuses the president of not adequately preparing the country for such an earthquake and of failing to supervise construction, for example. The government denies the allegations. (msb/dpa)