Blatter accused as Turks promise FIFA challenge

Turkey’s sports minister accused FIFA of leaning too heavily on president Sepp Blatter’s version of events and vowed to challenge the severe punishment doled out after violence marred November’s World Cup play-off against Switzerland.

Following a disciplinary hearing, FIFA have ordered Turkey to play their next six competitive matches behind closed doors and on neutral ground.

Newcastle midfielder Emre and former Aston Villa defender Alpay, now at Cologne, have each been banned for six matches for their part in the clashes in Istanbul on November 6.

Turkey lost the play-off and after the final whistle players and officials were involved in a mass brawl on the pitch and in the tunnel.

But sports minister Mehmet Ali Sahin insisted FIFA’s punishment was out of proportion to the damage caused.

“I find this decision unacceptable,” he declared.

“This is simply the approval of what Sepp Blatter said right after the game without even looking at the observer and referee reports on the game.

“That’s why I think this decision is more political than sporting.”

The day after the match, Blatter accused Turkey of forcing Switzerland to “steal from the pitch like thieves” rather than be allowed to celebrate their triumph of reaching the World Cup finals.

“Fair play was trodden underfoot in Istanbul. We will take severe measures,” said Blatter in November.

Sahin believes such comments unfairly prejudiced the Turkish Football Federation’s case.

“The punishment was given at the time Sepp Blatter made that speech. We will take the matter wherever necessary. I hope they correct it,” he said.

“They penalised Turkey. The crowd at the game had nothing to do with the events at the game.

"They are penalised the most, even though there were no events involving the crowd.

“We were expecting some penalties in relation to the events after the game, however playing six games at neutral countries with no crowds allowed to the games is not acceptable. They took a political decision at FIFA.”

FIFA’s punishment was not entirely one-sided.

Switzerland international Benjamin Huggel was also banned for six matches after being filmed kicking out at Turkey assistant coach Mehmet Ozdilek, who has himself been banned from all football-related activity for a year.

Much of the violence occurred out of sight to supporters at the match.

Swiss defender Stephane Grichting was taken to hospital and needed a catheter inserted after being kicked in the stomach during a free-for-all in the players’ tunnel.

In terms of international teams, the sanctions are unprecedented.

The disciplinary committee also announced two-match bans for Turkish player Serkan Balci and Swiss physio Stephan Meyer.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and those players given six-match bans can appeal against the punishments and go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne as a last resort.

While Sahin was steadfast in his belief Turkey have been wronged by FIFA, UEFA vice president Senes Erzik – honorary president of the TFF – offered a more temperate view.

He said: “I didn’t expect such a hard punishment. I thought we would get a three-game punishment at worst.

“Looking at this decision, it looks like we were close to being banned from competitions.”

Erzik added: “There are two dimensions to this event – the players and the TFF.

“But, we cannot separate them here. The players are our players and the game was played in our country.

“It doesn’t matter how provocative they were, you have to take the necessary security measurements as the host.

“The attacker of the injured Swiss player couldn’t be identified. This proves that there were not enough security measurements taken. I believe we were penalised because of the security.”