TFF President Hacıosmanoglu addressed the world: I do not accept that Israel is still in the sporting arena

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoglu said, "As a sportsman, I do not accept the fact that Israel is still in the sports field despite the inhumane massacres in Gaza." Hacıosmanoğlu, who participated in the Naples MED Mediterranean Dialogue Forum hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Institute for Political Studies (ISPI) in Naples, said, "From the field to the podium: Sport as a driver of development and stability" panel. Pointing out that political, military and football cooperation between Turkey and Italy has increased recently, he said that it is very important that the two countries will organize the 2032 European Football Championship (EURO 2032) together. President Hacıosmanoğlu stated that they have a wide friendship with the Italian people since centuries and said, "Recently, we have important cooperation with Italy both in politics, military and football. It is very important that we will organize the 2032 European Championship together. We are third in the world but Italy has 4 world championships. It will be easier for us to organize 2032 with their experience."

Explaining that Turkey successfully organized the UEFA Champions League Final in 2005 and 2020, the 2009 UEFA Final, the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup Final in 2019, Hacıosmanoglu said that they will host the UEFA Europa League Final in 2026 and the UEFA European Conference League Final in 2027 in Turkey. Hacıosmanoğlu pointed out that today Turkey has facilities that are not even available in the big countries of Europe and said: "The fact that we have a President who comes from both sports and football gives us a great advantage in this regard. For the last 15 years, we have modern stadiums in almost every province of Turkey. We have enviable facilities to organize international organizations not only in football but also in amateur branches, including halls, athletics tracks and athletics tracks in every province. As a state, our President has given us great support in this regard. I believe that in 2032, we will organize the European Championships with Italy in a way that will set an example for the world, and with their years of experience, we will make a very good organization."

In his speech at the panel, Hacıosmanoglu also touched upon the social responsibility projects initiated by the TFF in the region after the Disaster of the Century, which affected 11 cities in particular, and stated that they carried out many activities in cooperation with the state for both children and disabled citizens to do sports in the earthquake zone.

Hacıosmanoglu thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then FIFA President Gianni Infantino on this issue and said, "We are working with our Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Labor and especially with our Ministry of Family through joint programs to increase the brand value of Turkish football and make it reach a wide audience. We are working to raise our children in every field of sports at a young age. Our aim is to raise our children as successful individuals in this world with sports."CALL FOR "ISRAEL SHOULD BE BANNED"Hacıosmanoglu stated that the underground and above-ground resources in the exploited countries could never be used for the youth of that country and said, "Recently, I think that our President is giving a lesson to the world on this issue and he is leading the way for those countries to use their own resources for the future of their own children, to use them in the fields of sports and education. As a country, we also provide them with many aids." Hacıosmanoğlu pointed out that Israel's participation in international sports competitions is frequently discussed in the sports public opinion and said, "Yes, it is a sensitive issue in the world today. I wrote a letter to all local federations and UEFA President about this issue last month."

Stating that they are against all kinds of wars, the TFF President said, "We believe that especially sports should serve peace and brotherhood around the world. But as a sportsman, I do not accept the fact that while Russia was banned from all activities in a short period of 4 days, Israel still remains in the sports field despite the inhuman massacres in Gaza. I would like to express my endless gratitude to the people of Italy. I believe that the administrators should take a stance at the same rate as their reactions. Of course, our children and young people need to live in healthy environments." Hacıosmanoğlu stated that there is now a hope for peace in the Middle East and emphasized that the children in Gaza should not be forgotten and that the world should reach out a hand there together and raise the world to its feet.