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Supporters of Turkish club Galatasaray, particularly the ultrAslan fan group, hung banners reading, "Humanity has lost its conscience in Gaza," "Let Gaza’s babies live" and "If Jerusalem is not free, the whole world is in captivity."
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Pro-Palestinian banner displayed by Turkey fans during UEFA Nations Leauge match
(Photo: REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
The match took place at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium, and reports suggest the pro-Palestinian demonstration was planned in advance.
UEFA maintains a strict policy against political messages at soccer matches, and it remains unclear whether Turkish authorities or the national team will face disciplinary action.
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The incident follows controversy in November when Israeli midfielder Gabi Kanichowsky of Maccabi Tel Aviv saluted in honor of fallen comrades during a Europa Conference League match against Beşiktaş. Turkish commentators demanded punishment, calling it a "political act."
Comparisons were drawn to Turkish defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two matches during the last European Championship for celebrating a goal with a salute associated with the far-right group Grey Wolves.
The match took place as Turkey faces domestic unrest, with large protests erupting in multiple cities over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In the match itself, Turkey secured a 3-1 win in the first leg of the playoff. Orkun Kökçü, Kerem Aktürkoğlu and İrfan Can Kahveci scored for the hosts, while András Schäfer temporarily equalized for Hungary.
The second leg will take place in Budapest on March 23, with the winner remaining in UEFA Nations League League A, while the loser will be relegated to League B.