Istanbul (AFP)
Turkey defended on Tuesday the military salvation carried out by its footballers during their match the day before at the Stade de France against France, calling on UEFA, urged by Paris to take sanctions, to show "discernment".
During a press conference, the Turkish Minister of Sports waved a picture of French striker Antoine Griezmann giving a military salute to President Emmanuel Macron during the presentation of the Legion of Honor to the Blues World Champions in June. .
"Those who did not say anything when Griezmann made this military salute are now looking for a different meaning to the beautiful salute our players have made," said Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu.
On Monday, the players of the Turkish team made a military salute after equalizing against the French team, a sign of support for the military who take part in Ankara's offensive against a Kurdish militia in Syria.
The Turkish team has renewed this gesture, taken up by their supporters in the stands, at the end of the match that ended on the draw of 1-1 that allows Turkey to retain the lead group H qualiications for the Euro-2020.
This gesture provoked outrage in France, where several politicians had called for the cancellation of the meeting after a first military salute performed by the Turkish players in the match against Albania last week.
On Tuesday, French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu called on UEFA to take "exemplary punishment".
The Turkish pro-government media ridiculed the controversy, posting photos showing Griezmann saluting President Macron at the Legion of Honor ceremony, but also after the World Cup final in Russia.
The Turkish Sports Minister on Tuesday urged UEFA to be "discerning" in its handling of calls to sanction the Turkey team.
"Those who seek to mask a poor performance in the field with these processes should not make so much effort," Kasapoglu said. "The result is there: we are first (of group H)".
© 2019 AFP