Erdoğan's 'Assad' comment: 'Our invitation could happen at any moment'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted to the penalty given to Merih Demiral by UEFA.

Stating that a shadow had been cast over the championship, Erdoğan assessed, "This cannot be explained; it is a completely political decision. This decision has darkened consciences."

'CAST A SHADOW OVER THE CHAMPIONSHIP'

Reacting to the 2-match ban given to Merih Demiral by UEFA, Erdoğan assessed, "As you know, this match was played in the shadow of the unjust decision UEFA hastily took regarding Merih Demiral. The 2-match ban UEFA gave to Merih, frankly speaking, cast a serious shadow over the championship. This cannot be explained; it is a completely political decision. This decision has darkened consciences, but thank goodness it did not affect the morale and motivation of our national players." 

'THE NATIONAL TEAM GAVE THE NETHERLANDS A HARD TIME'

Evaluating the Turkey-Netherlands match, Erdoğan said, "Despite all these negativities, our National Football Team practically gave a football school like the Netherlands a hard time tonight. We watched an exciting, fiercely contested match. We scored the first goal very early, and we kept control of the match for a long time. Especially in the last ten minutes of the match, we could not capitalize on a few important goal opportunities. In fact, I am not a referee, but against a Dutch footballer who was practically embracing the football, even though the referee was close to the position, he did not give the penalty while we were expecting one. Despite all the efforts of our national players, unfortunately, we could not make it among the first four teams to advance to the semi-finals. What can we say, it was meant to be up to here. I wholeheartedly congratulate our national players who did their best until the last second and gave us great excitement and pride. In addition to all this, both our expatriates and our citizens who came from our country to watch this match put their hearts into it with everything they had, and they also contributed to this outstanding struggle. Truthfully, after the Austria match, it was my expatriate citizens in all the stands who moved us deeply once again. That victory practically changed their outlook on life. Our expatriates, who filled the approximately eighty-thousand-capacity Berlin Olympic Stadium to such an extent, added excitement to the excitement. As they chanted 'Turkey,' we were filled with pride and honor. If we could have crowned this with a victory, the situation would have been very different. But we left the stadium with our heads held high, at least as much as if we had won."

'WE WILL MARCH FORWARD BY RAISING OUR GOALS'

Stating that the National Team will continue on its path by raising its goals, President Erdoğan used the following expressions: "At the end of the match, we had the opportunity to meet in the locker room with our Technical Director Vincenzo Montella, his team, all our footballers, and our Federation President. We embraced them one by one. We said, 'From now on, we will march forward by raising our goals for the world championship and the next UEFA championship.' We have a young national team. Probably by then, the average age will reach 26 or 27. We will prepare for that period with a much more mature, much more organized national team. Along with our boys, I also congratulate our technical director Mr. Montella and his team, who prepared our lions for the tournament in the best way possible, and all the workers of the national team. We cannot forget our fans here again. We cannot forget our citizens. We need to open a special parenthesis for them. You also saw both the magnificent atmosphere inside the stadium and the tremendous enthusiasm on the streets. Thank goodness, the streets of Berlin were decorated with Turkish flags and echoed with their enthusiastic cheers. We were also proud of our citizens who filled these streets. We witnessed a climate of brotherhood that swelled our chests and brought tears to our eyes. As President, I thank very much all my brothers and sisters who came from many different parts of Turkey, Germany, and Europe, turning first Berlin and then the Olympic Stadium where the match was played into a festive place, and those who supported our team with their prayers in front of their screens even if they were not here. Our National Team gave their answer to the injustice done to them with the magnificent football they played on the pitch. Not only our team but also our fans supporting our national players showed the whole world once again what a dignified country Turkey is and what an honorable nation the Turkish nation is, without giving a premium to unruliness. May God bless them all. On this occasion, I also congratulate the Netherlands national team for their success. Before and during the match, which was played in a beautiful and highly exciting atmosphere, the Dutch fans also behaved in a gentlemanly manner. I particularly congratulate and thank them here."

'THE GERMANS HAVE THE EAGLE'

Making a general assessment, President Erdoğan answered journalists' questions.

What exactly was the decision regarding Merih Demiral aimed at punishing? While a clean struggle was given, while there was clean fan support, while success was being maintained, is this really the reward for a sincere effort not to bring politics into football? Or is the opposite the case? Why are we facing what we call a double standard here again? On the one hand, we are talking about this unjust penalty, but throughout the past week, we also encountered articles in Western media outlets praising our players' capacities, talents, social intelligence, and productivity. Does this success turn into a disturbing picture when it is put forward together with faith? This is another question that comes to mind; is this what causes unease?

The West's approach to us in terms of mentality has never changed until today. The West has continued with the same mentality and continues in the same way. The penalty they gave to Merih Demiral is practically a penalty whose decision was made from the very first moment. I had also expressed this in our plane interview on the return from Kazakhstan. If the issue is punishing the grey wolf sign, the Germans have the eagle; do you punish the eagle? No. The French have the rooster; do you stand up and punish the French by saying, 'Why are you acting like a rooster?' No. But this penalty given to Merih, who made the grey wolf sign that takes place in our legends in the excitement of that goal and the consecutive goals in Turkey, is not against Merih personally. In fact, it is a penalty directed at Turkey's structure as a nation. The best response to this would actually have been for us to emerge victorious from this match. I already believe that all our footballer friends and brothers took to the pitch with this passion and excitement. They were going to teach them a good lesson on the pitch, but unfortunately, if the positions caught in these last 3-5 minutes had been turned into goals, they would have been the ones returning from there crying. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. That spirit lying in your question was unfortunately our expectation too, but it didn't happen. Now there is the World Cup in 2026 and the European Championship in 2028. Now, by preparing for these in the best way, as Montella said, hopefully, we have the chance to take our revenge there. Hopefully, such a team has been prepared.

'BY MAKING MANAGEMENT STAFFS PERMANENT...'

Mr. President, how do you see this generation? We experienced something similar in 2008, but we couldn't sustain it. We also missed the championships in 2010-2012. In the upcoming period, in order to be better in the tournaments you just mentioned, what needs to be paid attention to in order to achieve this continuity? What do you think is the critical point here?

There are two important issues. One is the structure of the federation from top to bottom, and two is the permanence of the technical staffs... Pay attention to the West or the functioning in the world; there is no such thing as knitting from one side and unraveling from the other like a run in a stocking. I mean, if you are going to establish a structure, its permanence is very important. Now, in order to achieve this permanence, there is currently a good climb, a young team. Therefore, together with this young team, and on the other hand, by making the management staffs permanent, I believe that results can be obtained from the steps to be taken. Otherwise, constantly change, bring back again. Hasn't it been like that until today? It always changed. Technical staffs changed like that. The federation experienced the same things. It doesn't work like that. I mean, those who achieved success in the West or in the world always achieved it with those permanent staffs. They reached the result with that. Now, for example, Mesut Özil was with us. How old was Mesut when he played in the German national team? I watched the match where they beat us 3-1 together with Merkel. He was 22 years old then. He had also scored a goal against us. Now he is establishing a football school, an academy in Turkey. He wants to create the structure in Germany and Real Madrid here with us. If such a step is truly taken and that structure is transferred exactly to us, then let alone 22 years old, we will see 10-12-year-old kids being raised on the football pitch. Before kicking a ball, they will see respect and love in this academy.

COMMENT ON ARDA GÜLER

Mr. President, with your permission, I will have two questions. First, I am really curious about your thoughts on Arda Güler. As someone who follows football very closely, where would you position Arda among the most talented Turkish footballers of all time? Also, there was a save Mert Günok made one second before the end of the Austria match; I was very curious, what did you feel at that moment?

Mert Günok is currently over 30 years old. I mean, for Mert, who has reached this age, to display that reflex is a magnificent thing. For a 35-year-old goalkeeper to display such a reflex is indescribable. I mean, he practically sprang up and took the ball out of there. In the previous match, unfortunately, the callousness of the referees emerged. They went and counted a goal that shouldn't have been counted. As you know, a goalkeeper cannot make a faulty move inside the six-yard box, the eighteen-yard box. The one who committed the foul against him is already obvious. As for Arda Güler, Arda is of course 19 years old right now, but Arda started playing football under the age of 10. God has truly given him very different abilities. It is necessary to be a little patient and give Arda opportunities. For example, today he played 90 minutes. His ball distributions and such were good. Especially in set pieces, in the corners he sent back, Arda was tremendous. I told him that in my phone conversation with him, I said, "You say 'take it and score' and the ball goes to the address." The same thing happened today. Not everyone is this talented. Right now, his shortcoming is aerial balls... In long balls, Arda is a distinct talent. If he continues on his path without getting spoiled, in a determined and stable manner, Turkey will benefit greatly from Arda. The Real Madrid team he is currently in will also benefit greatly.

SUPPORT FOR MONTELLA

What was your expectation before the tournament? How much did the team's performance satisfy you? How much did the quarter-final performance satisfy you? Also, in your opinion, who were our players that stood out, the ones you liked the most in the tournament? I also want to add this. On the one hand, we will host EURO 2032. What experiences from this tournament will we carry there? Both in terms of football and in terms of organization.

I must say this very clearly and plainly. I cannot distinguish any of our footballers who took part in these matches from one another. They all truly poured out their abilities. From our goalkeeper, to the right back, the left back, the midfield... I mean, now for example, you look at a Ferdi Kadıoğlu, he is very ambitious. When we used to play football, our coach would tell us, "Son, you will eat the ball." Can a ball be eaten? "You will eat it." I mean, what does this mean? You will put forth your ambition fully. Now, for example, Ferdi has this. With that height, Ferdi is very ambitious. When he gets the ball, when he strips it, his joining the forward line from the back is very, very solid. Now some figures are being talked about regarding him. Fenerbahçe Technical Director Jose Mourinho said, 'He cannot go.' One shouldn't play with Ferdi's future either. Mashallah, Barış Alper is also quite good. We already talked about Arda. Then at the back, Abdülkerim was good when he played as a stopper. He was good again when he played as a sweeper. But I will say one thing. Now, for example, in Portugal, especially as a sweeper, Beşiktaş's Pepe. He is currently 41 years old. I mean, a 41-year-old man, how do you coordinate that place from the back four? Distributing balls 50 meters, 60 meters, 70 meters is not a random event. Ronaldo turned 38, he is the same. For example, the feature of Ronaldo that caught my attention the most is his dominance in aerial balls. In terms of goals, he already has two goals from penalties. He scored one in extra time, and he scored one from a previous penalty, and he also missed one. In summary, in our national team, there is no footballer of whom I would say "this one is better, this one is not." They all did justice to the job on the pitch. I kiss them all on the eyes. We will reflect these experiences onto 2032. Our solidarity with the Italians there is also very, very important. Undertaking this job together with the Italians was already somewhat due to infrastructure, due to facilities. If Montella, as an Italian, is still on duty then, our job will probably be easier.

'IT MEANS IT HAS REACHED SOMEWHERE'

Mr. President, I was just going to ask a question about Montella. Foreign technical directors who come to the national team are generally always criticized with the argument that it should be a domestic name. But Montella has a warm side. He was quite warm and sincere both with the messages he gave and his love for Turkey, and in his dialogues with you when you called after the victories. In fact, comments even appeared in the foreign press saying, "I wonder if his ancestors are Turkish?" What do you think about Montella? Do you like his technical directorship?

Every technical director has an aspect that is defended. Just as there is no human without mistakes, of course, there is no technical director without mistakes. There are coaches in basketball and volleyball too; the situation is the same with them. Montella is, first of all, a person who has already proven himself. Now today they immediately started attacking. What was it? He didn't make the substitutions on time. Come on, let him do that too. No, it should have been in the 60th minute, why wasn't it in the 60th minute? Well, they say these things. I mean, I am not on this side of the matter. He is a name who has already proven himself. Therefore, he is trying to put forth his best, he is doing it. When the team wins, Montella is good; when there is a defeat, he is bad. These are not elegant things. Especially as a President, it wouldn't suit me at all. We just said, "He did his best." Now what is being talked about after this? If it is said that Turkey is in the top five, it means it has reached somewhere.

FOREIGN PLAYER RULE

Mr. President, my question is about the foreign player quota of football clubs. Next season, the foreign player quota is being lifted, and 11 foreign players will play in the starting 11. 11 foreign players will play. It went from 8 to 11. Our footballers can play with world-famous clubs. And now, after the success achieved in the championship, our footballers have once again entered the radar of world-famous clubs. So, it is being discussed that our clubs should give more space to domestic footballers. What kind of advice would you give on this issue?

I think we need to pave the way for our domestic footballers. I do not find having too many foreign players right for our national football. Otherwise, how will footballers be raised? Otherwise, this door will not be open for our children over the age of 10 who will be raised from the infrastructures of our clubs, from places like the Başakşehir Academy, like the academy Mesut Özil will establish. We shouldn't allow this. I mean, a certain number can be appropriate, especially in terms of creating a market. Too many will kill the market. It is beneficial to open the door without allowing this.

'CEASEFIRE NEWS COULD COME FROM DOHA'

I want to direct a question to you regarding Gaza. I know you are closely following the latest developments in Gaza. Is the possibility of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange on the agenda again? You always keep this on the agenda. Is there significant progress in this direction? Are you hopeful for a ceasefire? What would you like to say about Turkey's role in this process? Also, the Israel-Hezbollah tension is alarming; could a new war be in question? I am curious about your views on what Turkey can do in terms of diplomatic initiative with regional countries in the face of such a development. Can we get a general assessment regarding Gaza?

There have been some seriously positive developments regarding Gaza for the past two or three days. There are talks held by the head of MOSSAD with Hamas officials in Doha. Some positive steps envisioning a permanent ceasefire were taken in the talks. Now they are saying "any moment" for a ceasefire. I mean, accurate news could come from there at any moment. But the whole issue is Netanyahu's attitudes. Israel must not be able to continue this brutality, this savagery any longer. Israel must now stop dragging its feet on continuing these massacres and must end these inhumane attacks. It is imperative that the international community, and especially Western countries, increase their pressure on Israel regarding this issue. Until today, it is Israel that has insisted on the attack and continued the massacres. It is Israel that tramples on human rights and international law. Now they have stood up and are threatening Lebanon to spread the conflicts to the region and relieve themselves. Israel must abandon its intention to spread the conflicts to the region. Western countries, primarily the United States of America, must abandon the support they give to Israel at this point. Turkey has been on the side of peace from the very first moment. Turkey is the country that voices the loudest that these conflicts must end and that a two-state solution on the 1967 borders will ensure permanent peace.

IRAN ELECTIONS

There was an election in Iran recently, and a President of Turkish origin was elected. The new President Masoud Pezeshkian is someone who does not hide his Turkish identity every time and also says he breaks his fast. Do you think this situation will have an impact on Turkey-Iran relations from now on? Can we get your assessment regarding this?

Masoud Pezeshkian is actually a Turk of Azerbaijani origin. For example, he speaks Turkish in Tabriz. But when he goes to Kurdish regions, he can speak Kurdish there too. He is also quite fluent in Persian. He can speak that in that way too. When we return, I will contact him and congratulate him. In the upcoming period, Turkey-Iran relations will hopefully be better. Moreover, Turkey is the country that has the best relations with Iran in the region. Iran is an important neighbor of ours with whom we have historical and cultural ties. In the new period, I expect Turkey-Iran bilateral relations to develop in a positive direction at an increasing pace.

ELECTIONS IN THE UK

As you know, there was also an election in the UK, and the ruling Conservative Party suffered a major defeat. Moreover, Rishi Sunak suffered a major defeat despite his strict immigration policy. How will our relations with the UK be in this new period, and how do you evaluate the loss of Rishi Sunak, who presented these strict immigration policies?

The policies they have implemented so far and the difficulties the UK has experienced in the economic field have been, in my opinion, the most important reason for Rishi Sunak's loss. As for the left, as is known, the Labour Party could not get a result in the UK for 14 years. But now they won 411 MPs in this election. Until today, the Labour Party had not been able to reach such a number even during Tony Blair's time. But now, by achieving this number of MPs, the Labour Party has reached such power for the second time in the UK. I haven't been able to call Labour Party leader Keir Starmer to congratulate him yet. Now, as soon as we return, one of the first things we will do will be to call him too. As a country that has left the European Union, he says he does not consider rejoining. In the meeting we will hold, we will also discuss "where do we take Turkey-UK relations from now on?" Turkey and the UK's bilateral relations are extremely deep-rooted. During our time in power, we have worked with both Labour Party and Conservative Party prime ministers. The important thing is to put forward efforts in line with the common interests of the two countries. In the new period, we will continue to develop our relations with our ally the UK in every field. We have important agenda topics ahead of us; we intend to advance the positive course in our relations by addressing these.

INVITATION MESSAGE TO ASSAD

Mr. President, especially in the last year, provocative events have been coming one after another. We already saw the latest example of this in Kayseri. Could there be an organized hand behind these? Because there have been many incidents. What do you think?

There is definitely a mixer involved. I mean, it is impossible for there not to be a political mixer in such events. No matter how much they try to stir this up, as a strong state, we have already immediately given them the slap they deserve. We will continue to do so from now on. Thanks to Turkey's power, just as we collapsed the PKK, PYD, KCK, and FETÖ, we will collapse these in the same way. But as long as the politicians among us act smartly at this point. As you know, there is no such thing as the main opposition anymore. This opposition constantly continues to provoke, it doesn't stay quiet. It still stands up and messes with refugees. Currently, there are over 3 million refugees from Syria in our country. We have now reached a point where, the moment Bashar al-Assad takes a step toward improving relations with Turkey, we will show him that same approach. Because we were not enemies with Syria yesterday; we used to meet with Assad as a family. We will make our invitation. Hopefully, with this invitation, we want to bring Turkey-Syria relations back to the same point they were in the past. Our invitation could happen at any moment. Regarding having a meeting in Turkey, Mr. Putin has approaches. The Prime Minister of Iraq has approaches on this issue. We talk about mediation everywhere, so why shouldn't it be with the one on our border, with our neighbor?

News Source: 12punto