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'.
Tribute:
Didier Drogba wearing a vest paying respect to Nelson Mandela after Galatasaray
played Elazigspor
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.
Players
from Fethiyespor were recently charged by the disciplinary committee for
wearing t-shirts reading: 'Great Ataturk' in homage of the founder of modern
Turkey.
The
TFF claimed the gesture had brought politics into football but the decision was
criticised by sports minister Suat Kilic, who warned against 'divisive
decisions'.
Others
have remarked on the fact that players who celebrate goals with the Rabia sign,
the four-fingered salute which has become the symbol of the Muslim brotherhood,
born out of resistance to the military coup in Egypt.
Emre
Belozoglu, the former Newcastle midfielder now playing for Fenerbahce, is among
those who have celebrated goals this season with a Rabia sign.
Leader:
Drogba is an inspirational figure in the Ivory Coast and throughout Africa
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