Swiss get hostile welcome as Turks rage over Berne treatment

THE Turkish Football Federation has condemned the treatment of its national side in Saturday’s World Cup playoff against Switzerland, fuelling tensions for the return leg in Istanbul tomorrow night.

The rising temperature showed as the Swiss team were given a hostile reception when they arrived in Turkey’s largest city yesterday.

Switzerland are in the driving seat after a deserved 2-0 home victory in Berne, with goals from Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and Lazio midfielder Valon Behrami.

Turkey’s federation (TFF) complained that Swiss supporters had whistled and jeered during the Turkish national anthem and that Swiss security officials had shouted at Turkey’s players on their way to the dressing room after the match.

“The actions towards our national squad before the kick-off had a very negative impact on the match atmosphere. We in the TFF condemn these actions,” it said, adding the Swiss Football Federation had not shown the required sensitivity.

Turkey’s complaints have received lots of media coverage and the Swiss team felt the backlash when they were confronted by angry fans at Istanbul’s airport yesterday.

As the players stepped off the plane, airport staff held up a Turkish flag and a placard saying “Welcome to Hell 5-0” in what has become a cliched slogan to greet supporters of foreign teams visiting Turkey.

Police struggled to hold back vociferous supporters as they chanted abuse at the bemused Swiss players passing through the arrivals hall.

According to reports the Swiss spent two hours at the airport because of delays at passport control and baggage reclaim and police used narcotics sniffer dogs to inspect their luggage.

The statement also said force was used to prevent Turkey coach Fatih Terim from entering the room where the post-match news conference was held on Saturday.

Hurriyet newspaper published a photograph of a Swiss security official and quoted her as saying she had signalled for Terim to wait a couple of minutes while his Swiss counterpart finished answering questions and that Terim had stormed off.

The TFF called on Turkey’s supporters to behave well at the return leg in Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu stadium despite these “insults“.

“The best way of responding to the bad treatment is on the pitch against our opponents. We ask our fans to cheer as loudly as possible but to avoid any behaviour which would incur punishment,” it said.

Meanwhile Borussia Dortmund have stepped up their interest in Swiss international striker Alexander Frei claiming the talented forward has already indicated that he wants to join them from French side Rennes.

Dortmund have lost Czech international Jan Koller for six months with a cruciate ligament injury and Frei has been earmarked as a replacement.

“Frei wants to join us but he has a contract at Rennes until 2007,” Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball said. “Our priority is to get a successor for Jan Koller and we are looking for a quick solution if possible.”