TNT Sports
Heartbroken Turks
By
Published 17/11/2005 at 12:06 GMT
Turkey's media lambasted the behaviour of Swiss players and lashed out at the referee on Thursday after the Turks were eliminated from the World Cup in a controversial playoff. Turkey, semi-finalists in 2002, failed to reach next year's tournament in Germ
Eurosport
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A thrilling second leg on Wednesday saw the Swiss going through on the away goals rule.
Newspapers echoed Turkey coach Fatih Terim's description of both referees in the playoff including second-leg official Frank De Bleeckere of Belgium as "immoral" and "thieves". The Swiss won Saturday's first leg in Bern 2-0.
They also voiced concern that Turkey faces severe punishment from FIFA over a hailstorm of missiles thrown at Swiss players and clashes between the players as they left the pitch at the end of the match.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter called a news conference in Zurich to comment on the incidents.
"The world came crashing down on our heads," said a headline in Sabah newspaper.
"They slaughtered Turkey," the Star daily wrote, complaining that the Belgian referee had turned down two legitimate penalty appeals by Turkey.
Frustration is compounded by the feeling that Turkey would have enjoyed something approaching a home atmosphere in Germany, where more than two million Turks live.
Comments from officials after the match indicated that Terim, who only began his second spell as national coach in June, would keep his job despite the massive disappointment.
"I'm still happy with him. When we discussed the job I swore to him that it would be for five years and that is still the case," Turkish Football Federation chairman Levent Bicakci said.
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