Turkish president says turning sports into tool for political competition is 'wrong, serves no purpose'

‘I expect all clubs to genuinely embrace spirit of fair play,’ says Recep Tayyip Erdogan

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that turning sports into a tool for political competition is “wrong, misguided and serves no purpose.”

“Turning sports into tool for daily political competition, for whatever reason, is wrong, misguided, and serves no purpose,” Erdogan said at an awards ceremony in Istanbul.

“We want Turkish sports, especially football, to be in the spotlight not through controversies but through successes," he added.

He said “I expect all clubs to genuinely embrace the spirit of fair play, representing peace, solidarity, and collaboration in sports."

President Erdogan's remarks came a day after the Turkish Super Cup final between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, scheduled to be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia got postponed.

The decision was taken jointly by the clubs due to "some problems in the organization," according to the Turkish Football Federation.

Kaynak: