UEFA rejects Fenerbahçe's request to wear black armband
ISTANBUL
A request by Turkish football team Fenerbahçe to wear black armbands to remember the victims of yesterday's bombing in Gaziantep has been declined by European football’s governing body, UEFA. Fenerbahçe is scheduled to meet Spartak Moscow in the first round of the Champions League playoffs today at 7 p.m.
Fenerbahçe officials asked UEFA to allow the team's players to wear black armbands in the wake of a bomb attack that killed nine people and injured 68 in the southeastern province of Gaziantep, broadcaster NTV reported on its website. UEFA rejected the request, a statement on Fenerbahçe's official website said, on grounds that the "request had no relation to sports."
"Our hearts and prayers go to our fellow citizens who were injured in yesterday's blast," the statement concluded.
