Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

FIFA Chief Blatter Says Turkey Could Be Banned from 2010 World Cup

update

International Football Federation president Sepp Blatter says Turkey could be banned from the 2010 World Cup as punishment for fan violence at Wednesday's playoff match against Switzerland in Istanbul.

Blatter said in Zurich that FIFA's disciplinary committee would investigate the incidents and a decision is expected before the 2006 draw December 9.

Swiss players were pelted with objects and clashed with Turkish players in the tunnel after Switzerland eliminated Turkey from this year's World Cup in a playoff match Wednesday. Swiss player Benjamin Huggel kicked a member of the Turkish coaching staff as he ran off the pitch.

The incidents were the latest in a series. The Swiss team bus was pelted with eggs when it arrived Monday and Turkish fans blew whistles during the Swiss national anthem at the pre-match ceremony Wednesday.

Turkish football officials accused Blatter, who is Swiss, of being one-sided. The officials said their team was also harassed at the first leg match last Saturday in Bern.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
XS
SM
MD
LG