Istanbul: UEFA's Turkish vice-president Senes Erzik insisted on Thursday that he was confident of a fair decision following a probe by world soccer governing body FIFA into the violence that marred their World Cup play-off game with Switzerland in November.
"I believe the decision will be sound, right and objective and will satisfy all sides," Erzik said.
Turkish officials had raised questions over the objectivity of the inquiry after FIFA President Sepp Blatter, a Swiss national, pointed an accusing finger at Turkey immediately after the November 16 match in Istanbul.
The brawl broke out as the players were leaving the pitch after the end of the game, which Turkey won 4-2, but failed to qualify for World Cup 2006 on the away goals rule, having lost the first leg 2-0.
Turkey's assistant coach Mehmet Ozdilek, who has since resigned, tried to trip Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami as the visiting team rushed to the dressing rooms.
He was then kicked by Switzerland's Benjamin Huggel, who went on to hurl himself at Turkish defender Alpay Ozalan. The two grappled and fell to the ground as the scene exploded into a free-for-all.
The Turkish Football Association has said it expects "serious sanctions."
"The Turkish national team should be more careful from now on," Erzik said. "Everybody should learn lessons from this incident."
Erzik added that he expected the FIFA disciplinary board to announce its decision on Wednesday or Thursday next week.
Turkish football authorities came under harsh criticism at home after the melee, which contributed to the convention of an extraordinary meeting of the football association in January and the election of a new management.
Stadium violence is not rare in football-mad Turkey, and at times bloody incidents between rival fans, notably during derby matches, are frequent.
Comments
0 comment