Turkish fans get political and call for government resignation of earthquake disaster response

February 27 – Fans of leading Turkish clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce have called on the Turkish government to resign over its inadequate response to the devastating earthquake that has so far killed over 44,000 people in the country.

The demand by Besiktas fans came in terrace chants as they threw hundreds of soft toys and scarves on to the pitch in a gesture of support for the children affected by the February 6 disaster.

‘Government, resign!’ they shouted as they played out a 0-0 draw with Antalyaspor.

The match was paused after four minutes 17 seconds, representing the time the first earthquake struck Turkey and Syria at 04:17.

The Besiktas players warmed up in tops with the names of the country’s affected southern cities before a pre-match ceremony, with fans applauding search and rescue officers present at the stadium.

“There are more important things than football. We are going through difficult times as a country. Together we will heal the wounds,” said defender Tayyib Sanuc.

“Our fans held a meaningful event – I was very touched. I hope we never experience such a disaster again.”

Fenerbahce fans voiced similar sentiments chanting ‘Twenty years of lies and cheating, resign’, during their 4-0 win over Konyaspor on Saturday.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place on May 14.

Besiktas supporters are reputed to be closer to the opposition than to Recep Tayyip Edogan’s ruling coalition. But slogans of this kind became rarer after Erdogan cracked down in the wake of the failed coup against him in 2016.

Devlet Bahceli, head of the nationalist MHP party, the junior partner in Erdogan’s governing coalition, called for authorities to force matches to be played behind closed doors if there were more such protests.

Earlier this month, Erdogan acknowledged “shortcomings” in his country’s response to the disaster. But he also lashed out at “provocateurs” who criticised rescue efforts

Meanwhile investigations have been launched against more than 600 people in relation to buildings that collapsed.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said 184 of the 612 suspects had been jailed pending trial. Those in custody include construction contractors and building owners or managers.

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