TFF fines Amedspor over Kurdish slogan
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has issued a 110,000 TL fine to Amedspor due to a Kurdish slogan on its jersey chest sponsor, which the federation had previously approved.
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According to a report by Ferit Aslan from CEGA Medya, the TFF, which had previously approved Amedspor's sponsor and slogan, has now fined the club 110,000 lira for "violation of sports equipment regulations" following the Sakaryaspor match.
The slogan "Koma me bona we" (Our group is for you) on the jersey had marked the first time a Kurdish slogan was featured on a jersey in professional leagues, following the approval granted by the TFF.
Amedspor President Burç Baysal, who made statements regarding the issue, said that the fine is an indicator of intolerance toward the Kurdish language.
Baysal included the following statements in his remarks:
"We entered into this sponsorship agreement with the firm after receiving official approval from the TFF. Now, our club is being penalized for the same slogan that was previously approved. This is a clear double standard and an open intolerance toward Kurdish. This fine has no legal basis. Both our sponsor and we acted in accordance with the law on this matter. This practice is an attempt to obstruct not only sports but also language and culture."