Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue face fines from the Turkish FA after
displaying vests bearing tributes to Nelson Mandela. The two Ivory
Coast internationals unveiled their personal messages after
Galatasaray’s game against Elazigspor on Friday, their first game after
the death of South African icon Mandela.
Chelsea legend Drogba peeled off his shirt at the 2-0 win to reveal a
tribute which said: ‘Thank you Madiba’ and former Arsenal defender
Eboue’s vest said: ‘Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela’.
The Turkish FA (TFF) are planning to summon the Galatasaray pair to
appear before the Professional Football Discipline Committee because
they had not sought prior permission to display their messages.
It is in contrast to England where games this weekend have been
preceded by a minute of applause in celebration of Mandela’s life and
his role in ending apartheid in South Africa and transforming the
international profile of Africa.
Plans to discipline Drogba and Eboue are certain to attract criticism
and fuel debate in Turkey, where the TFF are trying to keep political
imagery out of football as directed by FIFA, although it has proved
increasingly difficult in a football-crazy nation beset by political
tension.
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