CEDB decisions on alleged incidents of non-sporting nature

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) dealt with several alleged cases of incidents of non-sporting nature (i.e. for performing military salutes considered as inappropriate given the specific political context at the time of the abovementioned matches) involving the Turkish national team, Turkish and Italian clubs as well as players.

In reaching its decisions, the CEDB considered such gestures specifically in relation to the political context at the different times of the alleged incidents and consequently decided as follows:

Matches: UEFA European Qualifiers Turkey v Albania (1:0) and France v Turkey (1:1) played on 11 and 14 October 2019 respectively.

The disciplinary cases were combined and one comprehensive decision covering both matches was issued in accordance with Article 41(6) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Decision:

The CEDB has decided:

- To reprimand the Turkish Football Federation players, Mr. Merih Demiral, Mr. Umut Meraş, Mr. Burak Yilmaz, Mr. Mert Günok, Mr. Zeki Çelik, Mr. Cenk Tosun, Mr. Mahumut Tekdemir, Mr. Uğurcan Çakır, Mr. Yusuf Yazici, Mr. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Mr. Okay Yokuşlu, Mr. Ozan Tufan, Mr. Sinan Bolat, Mr. Emre Belözoğlu, Mr. Deniz Türüc and Mr. İrfan Can Kahveci, for using the UEFA European Championship 2020 Qualifying Round matches between the national teams of the Turkey and Albania on 11 October 2019 and France on 14 October 2019, respectively, for manifestations of a non-sporting nature (i.e. for performing military salutes considered as inappropriate given the specific political context at the time of the above-mentioned matches).

- To fine the Turkish Football Federation €50,000 as an overall punishment, to include inter alia the crowd disturbances by its supporters on the occasion of the UEFA European Championship 2020 Qualifying Round match between the national teams of Turkey and France on 14 October 2019.

Match: UEFA European Championship Under-19 qualifying round match U19 Turkey v U19 Bulgaria (1:2) played on 19 November 2019

Decision:

The CEDB has decided:

- To close disciplinary proceedings against the Turkish Football Federation for the incidents of a non-sporting nature.

- To close disciplinary proceedings against the Under-19 Turkish Football Federation players Mr. Kerem Kalafat, Mr. Işık Kaan Arslan, Mr. Taha Tunç, Mr. Ozan İsmail Koç, Mr. Ali Yavuz Kol, Mr. Atakan Gündüz, and Mr. Atalay Yıldırım, for the incidents of a non-sporting nature.

Match: UEFA Europa League group stage İstanbul Basaksehir FK v Wolfsberger AC (1:0) played on 24 October 2019 in Turkey

Decision:

The CEDB has decided:

- To reprimand the İstanbul Başakşehir FK players, Mr. Irfan Can Kahveci, Mr. Robson De Souza, Mr. Edin Visca, Mr. Okechukwu Godson Azubuike, Mr. Uilsonde Souza Paula Junior and Mr. Mehmet Topal, for using the 2019/2020 UEFA Europa League match between İstanbul Başakşehir FK and Wolfsberger AC on 24 October 2019, for manifestations of a non-sporting nature (i.e. for performing military salutes considered as inappropriate given the specific political context at the time of the above-mentioned match).

Match: UEFA Champions League group stage match Juventus v Club Atlético de Madrid (1:0) played on 26 November 2019 in Italy

Decision:

The CEDB has decided:

- To close disciplinary proceedings against Juventus player Dybala Paulo for using sporting events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature.