Turkish Football Federation Fines Kurdish Club Amid Controversy Over Hair Braiding Symbolism
Amedspor FC, a prominent Kurdish football club based in Diyarbakir, Turkey, has been hit with a hefty fine of nearly $18,500 for allegedly promoting "ideological propaganda" through its social media accounts. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also slapped the club's president with a 15-day suspension from all football activities.
The controversy centers around a 20-second video featuring a woman getting her hair braided to the tune of a widely used Kurdish slogan, "Jin, jiyan, azadi" - meaning "Woman, life, freedom". The gesture has become a symbol of solidarity with Syrian Kurds following Damascus' military offensive in northeastern areas formerly part of the Kurds' de facto autonomous administration.
Similar videos have been circulating on social media platforms as a response to an online controversy surrounding a Syrian soldier's claim that he had cut a female Kurdish fighter's hair from Raqqa. While the authenticity of this claim remains unverified, it sparked widespread outrage and online backlash.
The TFF deemed Amedspor FC guilty of "damaging the reputation of football" by engaging in "ideological propaganda". The club's president, Nahit Eren, who is also a former head of the Diyarbakir Bar Association, has appealed against the decision but declined to comment further.
Amedspor FC, currently top of Turkey's second division, faces the prospect of promotion to the country's top-flight Super Lig for the first time in their history. The controversy surrounding the club highlights the ongoing tensions between Kurdish nationalists and the Turkish government, which has been accused of suppressing Kurdish identity and culture.
Amedspor FC, a prominent Kurdish football club based in Diyarbakir, Turkey, has been hit with a hefty fine of nearly $18,500 for allegedly promoting "ideological propaganda" through its social media accounts. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also slapped the club's president with a 15-day suspension from all football activities.
The controversy centers around a 20-second video featuring a woman getting her hair braided to the tune of a widely used Kurdish slogan, "Jin, jiyan, azadi" - meaning "Woman, life, freedom". The gesture has become a symbol of solidarity with Syrian Kurds following Damascus' military offensive in northeastern areas formerly part of the Kurds' de facto autonomous administration.
Similar videos have been circulating on social media platforms as a response to an online controversy surrounding a Syrian soldier's claim that he had cut a female Kurdish fighter's hair from Raqqa. While the authenticity of this claim remains unverified, it sparked widespread outrage and online backlash.
The TFF deemed Amedspor FC guilty of "damaging the reputation of football" by engaging in "ideological propaganda". The club's president, Nahit Eren, who is also a former head of the Diyarbakir Bar Association, has appealed against the decision but declined to comment further.
Amedspor FC, currently top of Turkey's second division, faces the prospect of promotion to the country's top-flight Super Lig for the first time in their history. The controversy surrounding the club highlights the ongoing tensions between Kurdish nationalists and the Turkish government, which has been accused of suppressing Kurdish identity and culture.
Amedspor FC is just trying to spread love & unity 
with their hair braiding video! Who doesn't love a good braid? 
And what's wrong with showing solidarity for the Syrian Kurds? 
They're just standing up for freedom & equality 
The Turkish government has been accused of suppressing Kurdish identity, and this is how they respond? 
It's like, hello! Let people express themselves & show some love 
Like, have you seen the state of the environment lately? 
Or how about the growing income inequality? 
It's time to focus on the bigger picture, not just football 
. It's like they're trying to suck the soul out of any form of self-expression in Turkey. I get that Amedspor FC might have gotten carried away with their enthusiasm for the "Jin, jiyan, azadi" movement, but a $18,500 fine and 15-day suspension seems pretty harsh 
.
. But to slap a fine on a football club? That just seems like another example of the government trying to silence dissenting voices 
.
.
Amedspor FC is just trying to show support for their community and it gets them fined? 
that video was meant as a symbol of solidarity and respect not some kinda propaganda 
I hope Nahit Eren gets his appeal sorted soon 
i mean i get why the tff would wanna protect footballs rep but fining a club for showing solidarity with syrian kurds? that's just not right 
it's not like they were promoting some kind of extremist ideology, they were just celebrating women's rights and freedom 
the tff is just trying 2 suppress kurdish culture & identity... like whats wrong with a lil hair braiding vid? 
it's not like they're spreading hate or anything. this is just another example of the gov trying 2 silence voices that speak out against injustice 
btw $18k fine is crazy 
. This is just another example of how the Turkish government is trying to silence Kurdish voices.
people are allowed to express themselves on social media, as long as they're not breaking any laws. sports should be about fun & teamwork, not politics 
the fact that the TFF is being so strict shows where their priorities lie 
let's keep the focus on football, not ideology 
can u believe this? Amedspor FC gets fined like $18k over some harmless hair braiding video?! 
what even is the TFF thinking? It's just a gesture, you know? A symbol of solidarity with Syrian Kurds who are fighting for their rights. I mean, i get that politics and football don't always mix, but c'mon! 
