Sport continues to be one more stage of dispute in the global tension that has been unleashed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To the announcements of the great entities of all disciplines, to suspend most of the Russian teams, in addition to other economic sanctions, the pronouncements of the athletes themselves have been added.
While great figures have called for a definitive cessation of violence, on the other hand certain Ukrainian representatives, for example, have enlisted in the army. Now, as expected due to the dimension of the conflict, it is the men of other nations who are speaking out.
Aykut Demir, a Turk, was one of the last. And, to the surprise of most, his reaction was not as expected.
‘Only Europe hurts them’
In the match between Erzurumspor and Ankaragucu, from the second category of Turkish football, all the players came out on the pitch with a message asking ‘No to war‘, in support of the victims of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. All except Aykut Demir, the captain of Erzurumsport.
At the time, the gesture sparked controversy for those who were in the stadium or followed the broadcast. Later, Demir’s words in the local press deepened the controversy behind his decision.
“You only hurt Europe. Thousands of people die every day in the Middle East. Those who ignore everything that happens there are the ones who do these things when it comes to Europe”assured the player at the outset in dialogue with the media outlet ‘Fanatik’.
“I didn’t feel comfortable wearing the ‘No War’ shirt because it’s not used when it comes to other countries. If I did, my conscience would not be clear. It also saddens me that there is war anywhere in the world. I share the pain of innocent people wherever it is,” she added.
Then, reflecting on the impact of his refusal of the gesture, he concluded: “I am against the war in Ukraine but I want the same treatment for all conflicts“.
In oblivion was that his team lost 0-1. His rejection of the general feeling was the news.
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