Opposition slams Bahceli who called for fan-ban in soccer games over gov't criticism

Turkey’s opposition parties CHP and IYIP slammed Turkish President Erdogan’s governing ally MHP’s ultranationalist leader Devlet Bahceli who called on soccer clubs to play the games without spectators, following fans’ demanding government’s resignation over its response to the devastating earthquakes.

"The tribunes are the mirror of the streets. The tribunes, which unite thousands of supporters of different political views, reflect the voice of the people and our citizens used their right to protest,” said Kenan Nuhut, the chairman of the CHP’s Sports Board, Arti Gercek reported.

IYIP’s Law and Justice Policies Presidency also said that demanding the games to be played without spectators is a “mental eclipse”.

“Just as you need voters to hold elections, the tribunes cannot exist without supporters. We hereby declare that we stand by our supporters who exercise their right to democratic protest," IYIP said.

On the weekend, the fans of Besiktas FC and Fenerbahce, the two of Turkish football's biggest three clubs have protested government’s response to the Feb.6 earthquakes and chanted slogans for its “resignation” during the games.

MHP leader Bahceli on Sunday has strongly criticized the fans of “using the sports as an instrument for dirty politics” and called on clubs to "urgently taking steps to play the games either without spectators or with the necessary precautions".