Military salute of the Turkish players at the Stade de France: what risk Turkey?

"I ask UEFA for an exemplary sanction". Shortly after midnight Monday evening, Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu reacted to the Turkish salute gesture made by Turkish players twice against France in the evening: to celebrate their goal, then at the end of the match (1 -1, final score).

Such a move was deemed "contrary to sportsmanship" by Roxana Maracineanu. And it has all the more significance in the current period, because of the Turkish offensive against the Kurds in Syria.

Especially since the Turkish players are not on their first try, since some have already celebrated a goal against Albania last Friday. What "could look like a provocation," commented UEFA's chief of press, Philipp Townsend, "The regulation prohibits any political or religious reference and I can guarantee that we will examine this situation. On Tuesday, UEFA opened a disciplinary investigation for "political provocation".

A very wide scale of sanctions

In concrete terms, what could the instance of European football decide? Its disciplinary regulations prohibit any "use of a sporting event for an event unrelated to sport" (Article 11.2.c).

Article 6 lists the possible disciplinary measures in case of infringement. The scale is very broad, ranging from warnings to "general interest work in favor of football" for a club or federation, to the imposition of an in camera match or a point withdrawal.

Regarding such a salute perceived as military, sports lawyer Thierry Granturco anticipates "maximum blame with a financial penalty, but no withdrawal point."

The Turkish federation could be punished as responsible for the behavior of its players, but the Turkish footballers who carried out the military salute could also be personally targeted, for example via a fine.

In general, when the disciplinary body of UEFA is seized, its decision is made "within fifteen days," says Thierry Granturco. And in case of recurrence, "it would be politically obliged to go up the scale of sanctions, with such a game in camera," says the lawyer.

The precedents of Catalonia and Palestine

In the past, UEFA has already sanctioned clubs or players under this Article 11.2.c. Bayern's former coach, Pep Guardiola, was called to order in May 2015 after taking a T-shirt in support of an Argentine journalist who died during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

That same year, Barca was fined € 40,000 after some of its supporters waved pro-independence flags against Bayer Leverkusen.

Moroccan-born Belgian player Yassine Benajiba, who plays for Luxembourg club Dudelang, was suspended from two games for his support to Palestine in July 2014. To celebrate a goal, the midfielder pulled out his jersey and left appear a t-shirt on which was inscribed "Free Gaza Palestine".

"There is no clear case law for this type of case. UEFA judges decide on the opportunity, depending on the context, the competition, the team, and the players involved, "concludes Thierry Granturco.