Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed, on Saturday, that Turkish sports should be remembered “for achievements and not for controversies,” while commenting on the postponement of the Turkish Super Cup final match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, which was It is scheduled to be held on Friday evening, at the “Awal Park” stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
According to CNN TURK, the decision to postpone came for organizational reasons, as the Saudi authorities refused to raise political slogans and wear T-shirts bearing pictures of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Erdogan said, in statements reported by Anatolia News Agency, on Saturday: “We hope that Turkish sports, especially football, will be remembered for achievements and not for controversies.”
Erdogan added, “Turning sports into a tool for daily political competition, whatever the reason, is wrong and does not benefit Turkish sports.”
Erdogan criticized the statements of the Turkish opposition parties regarding the postponement of the Turkish Super Cup final, saying that they were “new examples of the policy of exploitation,” and stated that the opposition does not appear publicly on any issue that is in the interest of the nation, the people, and Turkish democracy, according to him.
He said, “The republic is a common value for all members of the Turkish people, and that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the founder of this state.” He called on Turkish clubs to demonstrate “the spirit of fair play, which represents peace, solidarity and cooperation in sports.”
The Riyadh Season issued a statement, on Friday, in which it said: “We were looking forward to holding the match on time in accordance with international rules and regulations… without any slogans outside their scope… It was agreed to play the national anthem of the Turkish Republic and display the Turkish flag inside the stadium and in the stands.” “In appreciation of the position we hold for the Republic of Turkey, and despite that agreement, it was unfortunate that the two teams did not adhere to what was agreed upon, which led to the match not being held.”
2023-12-30 21:11:49
#Erdogan #comments #postponement #Turkish #Super #Final #Saudi #Arabia
