Football news: Italy ‘calls on UEFA to strip Turkey of this season’s Champions League final’

‘We must make the bravest decision and show, once again, that football is an instrument for peace’: Italy ‘calls on UEFA to strip Turkey of this season’s Champions League final’

  • Italy reportedly called on UEFA to strip Turkey of 2020 Champions League final 
  • It is scheduled to be held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Basaksehir, Istanbul 
  • Italy’s Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora wrote letter to the UEFA president

Italy has reportedly called on UEFA to strip Turkey of this season’s Champions League final.

The 2020 European final is scheduled to be held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Basaksehir, Istanbul on Saturday, May 30.

However, Vincenzo Spadafora, Italy’s Minister for Sport, has written a letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin posing the question of whether the showpiece event should go ahead in Turkey, according to Spanish outlet Marca

Vincenzo Spadafora, Italy’s Minister for Sport, has reportedly called on UEFA to strip Turkey of this season’s Champions League final

Turkey players celebrated with a military salute during their 1-1 draw against France on Monday night, despite UEFA launching an investigation into a similar celebration during Friday’s 1-0 win against Albania.

Turkey’s 1-0 win in Istanbul came on Friday, amid Turkish army clashes with Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. 

‘We must consider at this time whether it is appropriate [for Turkey to host the final] due to the very serious acts against the Kurdish civilian population,’ the letter read.

‘We must make the bravest decision and show, once again, that football is an instrument for peace.’

Turkey players celebrated Kaan Ayhan's late equaliser with a military salute on Monday night

Turkey players celebrated Kaan Ayhan’s late equaliser with a military salute on Monday night

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