The Union of European Football Associations initiated an investigation into the Turkish national team for the behavior of football players in a match with the French team in the framework of the Euro 2020 qualification. In particular, the UEFA's attention was triggered by the behavior of the guests' players, who celebrated a draw in an original way.

The October pause for matches of national teams was immediately remembered by several major scandals. So, at first the fans of the national team of Bulgaria distinguished themselves with a minus sign, shouting racist slogans against the black football players of the England national team - Rakhim Sterling and Tyrone Mings. And then representatives of the Turkish team noted, who at the end of the guest meeting with France performed a military greeting.

After the final whistle, the Turkish national team in full force went to celebrate a draw, which opened the way for the team to the first place in the group, with their fans. Gunesh wards approached the podium and in full force made a military greeting. Fans supported the favorites and answered them the same.

However, in the world community this gesture of Turkish athletes was perceived very ambiguously. With this gesture, the players of the “lunar stars” supported the operation of the Turkish army in northeast Syria.

Such actions outraged the receiving side. French Minister for Youth and Sports Roxanne Marasinyanu on Monday appealed to UEFA with a demand to punish the Turks for this gesture.

“I thank the French Football Federation and the police for the safety work during the match. Turkish footballers spoiled these efforts, demonstrating a military greeting, which is contrary to the spirit of the sport. I ask UEFA to apply sanctions to the opponent’s team, ”Marasinyan wrote on her Twitter page.

The organization listened to the statement of Marasinyan and stated that they would investigate the incident. UEFA noted that “the potentially provocative behavior of the Turkish national team players” will be examined by the Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector. Moreover, the statement says that the Union’s press service will refrain from commenting on this issue until the end of the process.

Ne kadar gizlerseniz gizleyin;

Biz bu selamı tüm dünyaya göstereceğiz! 🇹🇷

Tebrikler çocuklar ... 👏👏👏 # FRATURpic.twitter.com / KTEBlOLvoG

- Sakaryaspor (@Sakaryaspor) October 14, 2019

It is worth noting that UEFA will analyze the behavior of the Turkish national team players not only in the match with the French team. So, for the first time the “lunar stars" performed a similar gesture on October 11, when they celebrated the victorious goal against the gates of Albania. Then Jenk Tosun excelled in the 90th minute, after which the players lined up at the front line of the field and simultaneously put their hands to their temples.

Thus, in the event of a guilty plea, the Turkish team can expect serious sanctions. In this case, the closure of the stands or a fine will become her optimal punishment. Deprivation of points will be a serious blow to the team of Gunesh and may even deprive him of a ticket to the championship of the continent.

UEFA Vice President Michele Uva expressed his opinion on this issue. In his opinion, the decision on this incident will be made after a thorough discussion of various aspects.

“We will work in our competence, respecting the autonomy and independence of sports. But, of course, we cannot replace the UN, EU or USA, diplomats and politicians. UEFA decisions will be made after consultation with the organization’s leadership and the president, ”Uvu quotes Tuttomercatoweb.

It is noteworthy that in the situation around this gesture of Turkish football players, several representatives of the German national team were also involved. So, one of them was Manchester City midfielder Ilkai Gundogan, who liked the message from his friend Tosun.

After playing with Albania, the Everton striker posted on his Instagram page a photograph of the high-profile celebration and signed: “For our country. Especially for those who risk their lives for her. ” This post was appreciated by more than 200 thousand people, among whom were the footballer of the reigning champion of England, as well as his partner in the national team, Juventus midfielder Emre Can.

Gundogan himself admitted that he only wanted to support a friend who is currently going through a difficult period in his career at Everton.

“Nowadays, for the sake of clicks, people write provocative things. It seemed to me that I just “liked” the photo of a friend with whom he lived in Manchester. He’s having a difficult period at Everton, he almost doesn’t play for the club, but he scored the winning goal for the national team, ”Gundogan told reporters, who scored a double in the match with Estonia.

At the same time, he assured that there was no political context in his actions.

“Emre and I are opposed to all forms of war and terrorism in all forms, regardless of where this occurs. The only purpose of these likes is to support a friend, ”concluded Gundogan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not stand aside from the gestures of football players. After defeating the national team of Albania, he congratulated the wards of Gunesh, attaching a photo of their military greeting after the victory ball.

“We will show the whole world our national unity these days, this victory only strengthens it. I congratulate all the fans of our national team, ”Erdogan wrote on Twitter.

Milli birlik ve beraberliğimizi tüm dünyaya gösterdiğimiz bu günlerde, aldığı galibiyetle bu birlikteliğimizi pekiştiren ve tüm Türkiye'yi sevindiren A Milli Futbol Takımımızib e tekiy

Fransa karşısında ve # Euro2020Yolunda başarılar Milli Takım! pic.twitter.com/24dvuhCzwd

- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 11, 2019

It is worth noting that a military operation in Syria can cost Turkey much more than closing the stands at several matches of the national team. Thus, rumors appeared in the media that UEFA could take away the rights to host the Champions League 2020 final from Istanbul. But the same Uva assured that at the moment such sanctions are not discussed.

“Recalling the right to host the finals is a serious step. I think at the moment there are not even conditions for starting such a discussion. Of course, the UEFA Executive Committee will assess the situation, but it’s premature to talk about sanctions at this level, ”said Leggo Union vice president.