Turkish football fans caused outrage on Tuesday after the sound of what appeared to be boos broke a minute of silence held at the Greece-Turkey international friendly game in memory of those who died in the Paris attacks last week.
People were quick to take to social media in an outrage over the move. Some suggested the Turkish fans felt little sympathy for Paris while conflicts far closer to home do not garner the same international attention, while others theorized they don't respect France because they believe it sponsors PKK attacks on civilians. Of course, there was also the camp who said the fans support Daesh.
None are really great options. But they might not be the full story, either.
The football website 101greatgoals.com posted an alternative explanation apparently sent to them by a Turkish student who claims that the fans were not actually booing at all. Instead, they were chanting a slogan which, when translated, says: “Martyrs, they are immortal, our homeland is indivisible.”
The student suggests that the chant is commonly heard during moments of silence after PKK attacks kill Turkish civilians. He asserts that during the minute of silence for the Paris victims, the fans are honoring them as martyrs and are therefore in no way disrespecting them.
See the video below, via YouTube.
By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
