July 26 – Turkish authorities have taken additional precautions to ensure the safety of the Monaco team visiting Istanbul for this week’s Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce following the recent failed coup attempt that shook the country.
“Monaco demanded some extra security measures. We took these measures. We will make sure that their safety has the utmost guarantee,” sports minister Akif Cagatay Kilic told Reuters.
Kilic said Turkey, however, would not cede to a potential Monaco request to postpone the game pointing to France hosting the Euro 2016 tournament under a state of emergency following a spate of terrorist attacks.
“So we should have withdrawn the Turkish national team from the tournament? There is nothing negative going on in Turkey now. Everything has been taken under control swiftly,” he said.
Kilic also criticised comments by foreign sportsmen leaving Turkey, notably German international Mario Gomez who has quit Besiktas because of security concerns.
“Those who want to leave Turkey should not have made such statements. This upsets us. But it’s their own decision. They are acting as if there is no terror risk in the countries they go to.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714187833labto1714187833ofdlr1714187833owedi1714187833sni@w1714187833ahsra1714187833w.wer1714187833dna1714187833