UEFA to probe Turkey's military salute celebration in Euro qualifiers

 Union of European Football Association (UEFA)  to probe Turkey football national team's celebration of military salute after scoring a goal. This comes amidst heightened political tensions, as Turkey launched a major military offensive in areas controlled by  Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Dozens of civilian and military casualties have been reported on both sides. military-salute celebration was first witnessed in Euro 2020 qualifiers match against Albania, earlier on Friday which Turkey won by 1-0.

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UEFA to probe Turkey's goal celebration

After Everton star Cenk Tosun scored a goal against Albania, several players celebrated goal by performing a military-style salute on field. Later on, Turkey football team also took to social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to post a picture of similar salute in dressing room. handle captioned picture as, "We give this win to all our hero soldiers." UEFA spokesman Philip Townsend while speaking to an Italian news ncy said that salute could seem like a provocation and ded, "I guarantee that association will examine this situation." As Turkey faced France on Monday, Ste de France witnessed high French police security after France's President Emmanuel Macron said that Turkey's military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria could le to an "unsustainable humanitarian situation" and also threatened to "help Islamic State group re-emerge in region". match that saw Turkey score a late equalizer to hold back France from qualifying also witnessed same military-style salute celebration after Ayhan heed equalizer in 82nd minute of game. 

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UEFA rules prohibit gestures of political provocation

According to UEFA disciplinary rules, " use of gestures, words, objects or any or means to transmit a provocative mess that is t fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messs that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature is strictly prohibited." On same day as Turkey drew France, match between England and Bulgaria was also interrupted twice as crowd me racial comments on England players. 

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