Anti-Kurdish racism stains soccer pitch in western Turkey
The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14
Members of a second division local soccer team were greeted like heroes by thousands of fans in Diyarbakir, the unofficial capital of Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast region, today after enduring racist attacks during a match Sunday in the western city of Bursa in which one player was injured and several fans were viciously beaten.
Opposition Kurdish politicians and other notables joined jubilant citizens in circle dances to the beat of drums as Amedspor players made their way home on a bus from the airport. “Kurdistan will be a graveyard for fascism. Stand tall, don’t bow,” the crowds chanted.
The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14. Kurdish voters are likely to determine the outcome as they did in the 2019 municipal race, which saw the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lose Istanbul and Ankara along with several other large cities to the opposition.
Bütün yetkilileri göreve davet ediyoruz...@TFF_Org @UEFA @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/O0vqD9Qo43
