TFF denies allegations of searches upon entry to Belgium
The TFF has announced that reports claiming the A National Team delegation experienced issues and was subjected to searches at Liège Airport do not reflect the truth.
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The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has denied reports regarding issues encountered by the A National Football Team upon their entry into Belgium ahead of the match.
In a statement released by the federation, it was noted that reports in the press regarding the passport control process for the A National Team and TFF delegation, who traveled to Liège Airport via a Turkish Airlines charter flight for the UEFA Nations League match against Belgium, were "contrary to the truth."
The TFF reported that the players and technical staff exited the airport shortly after routine passport control procedures. The statement explained that airport officials provided an escort for security purposes, which is why the players and technical staff were prioritized during the transit process.
The federation announced that the delegation, which was also accompanied by Turkey's Ambassador to Belgium, left the airport without experiencing any problems or search procedures. The statement, which recalled that Liège Airport primarily provides cargo and logistics services, noted that the delegation members passed through quickly and safely.
Reports in some media outlets had alleged that Belgian authorities conducted detailed inspections of individuals in the TFF delegation, including criminal record checks and searches for undeclared cash.
The TFF stated that the procedure in question was carried out to ensure the security of the A National Team and to provide the necessary escort for the delegation within the airport, and thanked the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Brussels and Belgian authorities for their support.