Football clubs, MPs announce support for government after fans' earthquake protests

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Several politicians from Türkiye's ruling alliance and football clubs have announced support for the government after fans' protests over the February 6 earthquakes during the matches over the past two days.

Fans of Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, two of the "Big Three" of Türkiye's football, called on the government to resign during the games on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

National Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli reacted strongly to the protests, accusing the fans of being disrespectful towards "our earthquake martyrs." He said yesterday that he had canceled his membership in Beşiktaş.

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After Bahçeli, MHP Deputy Chair Semih Yalçın and MP Sermet Ay, as well as MP Yavuz Subaşı of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), canceled their memberships in the club.

Ay said, "Systematic disrespect to our earthquake martyrs and being a tool for new chaos games does not suit Beşiktaş's national moral values."

"There can be no such fans. This is called preparing the ground for chaos and turmoil at a time when the country needs unity and solidarity," said Subaşı.

Opposition politicians

Several opposition politicians, on the other hand, welcomed the protests.

Gürsel Tekin, an MP with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said he would pay the club the dues of the resigned politicians, adding, "I congratulate all Beşiktaş fans"

Pervin Buldan, co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), tweeted, "I'm a Beşiktaş fan..."

Muharrem İnce, a former CHP deputy who now leads the Homeland (Memleket) Party, said, "Bahçeli, instead of resigning from Beşiktaş, resign from the AKP."

Reactions from clubs

The Union of Clubs, which comprises the clubs competing in the Super League, today released a statement about the protests, saying, "Sports clubs are not political institutions, nor are they part of political discussions. We do not want to be a part of a discussion in any field other than sports, as we have not been so far."

In a written statement, Rizespor, the football team of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's hometown of Rize, described the protests as "cries of septic rats."

The following clubs also announced support for the government: Ankara Keçiörengücü, Konyaspor, Kayserispor, Erzurumspor, Denizlispor, Başakşehir, Balıkesirspor, Şanlıurfaspor, Afyonspor, Gaziantep FK. (HA/VK)