FIFA considers Turkey 2010 World Cup ban (AP) Updated: 2005-11-18 00:31
"What disturbs me the most is the lack of respect shown the official Swiss
delegation from their arrival until their departure," he said.
Turkish soccer fan
reacts while holding his national flag after Swiss Marco Streller scored
the second goal that ended Turkey's World Cup dream during their World Cup
2006 European zone, second leg play-off qualifying soccer match at the
Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul November 16, 2005.
[Reuters] | The Swiss said they were subjected to
hostile treatment, including being held up for several hours in passport control
when they arrived in Istanbul on Monday. Fans taunted the players and reportedly
threw eggs and rocks at the team bus as it left the airport.
Blatter criticized the FIFA representatives for not being at the airport for
the Swiss team's arrival.
"This is incomprehensible," he said. "At least they could have given
psychological support."
Tensions had been mounting since the first match on Saturday in Bern, which
the Swiss won 2-0. The Turkish team complained of poor treatment. Turkey coach
Fatih Terim said Swiss striker Alex Frei cursed at him and made an obscene hand
gesture after the first match. Frei denied it.
FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren noted that there had been previous problems
with Turkish fans during the qualifying rounds. FIFA imposed a $7,500 fine on
the Turks after a match against Ukraine, a $15,000 fine and a warning after the
Greece match, and a warning following the Danish match.
Turkey hit back in war of words with Blatter
ISTANBUL, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Turkey criticised FIFA president Sepp Blatter on
Thursday for commenting on the violent scenes that followed the World Cup
playoff defeat by Switzerland before an investigation.
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