SWITZERLAND: UEFA, TURKISH AND ENGLISH FA CHIEFS UNVEIL PLANS FOR EXTRA-TIGHT SECURITY TO STOP ENGLISH FANS ATTENDING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING

Record ID: 647872

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: UEFA, TURKISH AND ENGLISH FA CHIEFS UNVEIL PLANS FOR EXTRA-TIGHT SECURITY TO STOP ENGLISH FANS ATTENDING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
  • Date: 25th September 2003
  • Summary: NYON, SWITZERLAND (SEPTEMBER 25, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. REAR VIEW EXTERIOR UEFA HEADQUARTERS 2. UEFA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GERHAD AIGNER ENTERS NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM FOLLOWED BY DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY OF TURKISH FA METIN KAZANCIOGLU AND ENGLAND FA CHAIRMAN GEOFF THOMPSON (BEARD) 3. CAMERAMEN 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UEFA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICAR GERHARD AIGNER SAYING: "As it has been decided earlier that the English Football Association would not take any ticket for distribution to its fans and had intention to take any fans to Turkey, this attitude was the basis for the preparation right from the beginning. Both associations agreed that fans from England should not travel to Istanbul and should not have any tickets." 5. VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UEFA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICAR GERHARD AIGNER SAYING: "Everyone is aware that this is a one-off sotuation and by no means a long term strategy but this decision was taken as a reflected action against hooliganism." 7. CAMERAMEN 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FA CHAIRMAN GEOFF THOMPSON SAYING: "Our decision not to take tickets is a difficult one. However, in the interest of safety and security for everyone, we believe this was the correct course of action. So, once again, supported by our government, our police, UEFA and just as importantly, our colleagues from the Turkish FA, I urge England fans not to travel to Istanbul." 9. NEWS CONFERENCE TABLE 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ENGLAND FA CHAIRMAN GEOFF THOMPSON SAYING: "By repeating this call to England fans, let me make it clear: We do not intend or imply any offence or disrespect to the people or Turkey or indeed to our dear colleagues at the Turkish FA." 11. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS 12. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish/translated to English) DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY OF TURKISH FA METIN KAZANCIOGLU SAYING: "Turkey and England will show to the world what's going on and what's good for football -- it's a show. One match cannot break our friendship. We will not tolerate this." 13. VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NYON, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Reuters ID: LVA1F1E3IPNCZXZSAYM3NJ6V3EAW
  • Story Text: English fans who try to travel to Turkey for their
    crucial Euro 2004 qualifier will be turned away at the
    airport.




    UEFA and Turkish and English FA chiefs have unveiled
    plans for extra-tight security to stop England fans
    attending next month's highly-charged European Championship
    qualifying decider in Istanbul.

    UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner chaired a news
    conference on Thursday (September 25), after the two sides
    met for discussions at the European soccer governing body
    headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

    Aigner said England supporters who police suspected
    were likely to go to the match on October 11 would be
    turned away at the airport.

    "Everyone is aware that this is a one-off sotuation and
    by no means a long term strategy but this decision was
    taken as a reflected action against hooliganism," he said.

    There would also be a checkpoint outside the stadium
    where fans would have to prove they were Turkish supporters
    with identity cards.

    Inside the arena, if police still found English
    supporters, they would be immediately ejected, the boss of
    European football's governing body told the conference.

    English FA chairman Geoff Thompson renew the appeal for
    England fans to stay at home.

    "Our decision not to take tickets is a difficult one.

    However, in the interest of safety and security for
    everyone, we believe this was the correct course of action.

    So, once again, supported by our government, our police,
    UEFA and, just as importantly, our colleagues from the
    Turkish FA, I urge England fans not to travel to Istanbul,"
    he said.

    The match, which will decide automatic qualification
    from Group Seven, has attracted considerable adverse
    publicity in both countries after a number of clashes
    between rival supporters.

    Relations reached an all-time low in 2000 after two
    Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death during
    trouble before a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray.

    In April, England beat Turkey 2-0 in Sunderland but the
    game was marred by racist chanting by home fans and a pitch
    invasion which resulted in a record UEFA fine.

    The deputy general secretary of the Turkish FA Metin
    Kazancioglu said the
    decision to stop the presence of England fans would allow
    the match to be played in the best possible atmosphere.

    "Turkey and England will show to the world what's going
    on and what's good for football -- it's a show. One match
    cannot break our friendship. We will not tolerate this."
    The FA wrote an open letter to supporters earlier this
    month warning the national team could face expulsion from
    Euro 2004 if trouble erupted in the Sukru Saracoglu

    stadium.


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