If you give Saudi Arabia this much leeway...
The Super Cup match that was supposed to be played between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray could not take place because the administrators of Saudi Arabian football did not permit banners of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk or warm-up jerseys featuring his image. Following this development, 12punto.com.tr columnist Mustafa Mutlu evaluated the process that has led to this point.
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As a citizen of the Republic of Turkey who is wholeheartedly devoted to the values of this country and to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, I sincerely congratulate both the Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe administrations.
So, who is responsible for the Saudi arrogance that caused such a great resistance?
At the top of the list, of course, is the management of the Turkish Football Federation. For the sake of two million dollars in revenue, they committed a major blunder by selling this match, which was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic, to the Saudis.
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The second group of those responsible are, of course, the politicians!
If you declare a national day of mourning for the death of the Saudi King, while withholding it for your own martyrs...
If you are even afraid to prosecute the murderers of journalist Khashoggi, who was killed in this country's Istanbul Consulate and whose body was dissolved in acid...
If you swallow the insult when the head of this spoiled tribal state refuses to visit Anıtkabir when he comes to Turkey...
Then they will do everything in their power to increase the dose of their arrogance.
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Whatever the current political power may think; Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the founder of this country.
And the people of this country, regardless of their ethnic origin, political views, or different backgrounds, will stand as one against any disrespect shown to our founder.
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The stance taken by Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray yesterday is a "stand for honor" that will go down in history.
No one can disrespect the Republic of Turkey...
Our flag...
And our Atatürk...
No one can overstep their bounds just because they are paying a few pennies to host our match in their own country...
No one can turn a blind eye to this disrespect and insolence...
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For this reason, the politicians who caused this scandal and have remained silent against Arab arrogance until today, and first and foremost the Football Federation Board of Directors under the leadership of Mehmet Ekşi, who caused this scandal to happen, must resign immediately.
The cup should also be split in two and awarded to both of our teams.