The CHP reported the Israeli football player who gave a military salute during the Beşiktaş match to UEFA.

While reactions continue to the soldier salute and display of the Israeli flag by Gavriel Kanichowsky, who scored the first goal for the Israeli team in the match against Maccabi Tel Aviv played in Hungary during the 5th week of Beşiktaş's UEFA Europa League, a notable move came from the Republican People's Party (CHP).

CHP APPLIED TO UEFA, REQUESTED PUNISHMENT

As it remains a matter of curiosity whether UEFA will punish the Israeli football player, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır took action. Başarır applied to UEFA, requesting the punishment of the Israeli football player who made a soldier salute during the Beşiktaş vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv match.

BAŞARIR: HE COMMITTED A RACISM OFFENSE, WE WROTE A LETTER TO UEFA

Ali Mahir Başarır stated in a press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, "An Israeli football player made a very ugly gesture after scoring a goal in the Beşiktaş-Maccabi Tel Aviv match. He stepped in front of the cameras and made a soldier salute. As you know, Israel is committing crimes against humanity in Palestine; thousands of children, women, and citizens are being killed. Neither the Football Federation nor the Ministry of Sports has made an application to UEFA regarding this morally bankrupt football player, who is trying to legitimize this war to the world, and UEFA has not opened an investigation on its own. They opened an investigation and imposed a penalty on our football player for an act that is much, much more severe. Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations states the offense of racism. We wrote a letter to UEFA. We are sending our complaints on behalf of the Republican People's Party group and 86 million people; let's see what decision UEFA will make," he expressed.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Kanichowsky, who scored the first goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 23rd minute of the match, displayed the Israeli flag and made a soldier salute after the goal. This action by the 27-year-old Israeli football player received a strong reaction from Turkey. It remains to be seen whether UEFA will impose any sanctions following this incident and the application.

UEFA HAD PUNISHED US

UEFA had imposed a fine of 50,000 euros on the Turkish Football Federation due to the soldier salutes made by our national team players during the Euro 2020 qualifiers against France and Albania. Additionally, our national football player Merih Demiral was given a 2-match ban for making the Grey Wolf sign after scoring against Hungary in EURO 2024.