Turkey’s 'Football Fever' and How it Represents Cultural Values
No one can argue that the sport of football is not only the most popular and competitive in the country but for many it is deeply associated with their cultural value. Many are obsessed with their teams, which connect them to certain characteristics and areas of Turkey, thus representing so much more than top-bill players and the combination of colors they wear. The rivalry in Turkish football is uniquely continental, occurring between continents rather than just within them. Beşiktaş and Galatasaray, which form the foundation of Turkish football, compete in Europe, while Fenerbahçe is the biggest team igniting the rivalry in Asia. Known as the "Big Three," these Istanbul teams have instilled an enduring passion for football in the Turkish people for over a century. Many may have been surprised to see herds of people flock to the streets despite the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown to cheer for their beloved Beşiktaş, which secured the championship title Saturday night after a tight race between the top three teams in Istanbul that also happen to be archrivals. Year after year when the season’s victor is determined, the team’s fans head straight outside to chant and exclaim their love for their favorite football team. If not on foot, then fans will pile into cars and will their horns incessantly as a sign of celebration. In Turkey, this traditional annual celebration at the end of the football season is truly intense, if not intimidating, but is par for the course and is quite telling of some of Turkey’s most prized values. I would like to give another example of the passion of Turkish people for football. I was an 8-year-old Trabzonspor fan and Trabzonspor had a Champions League match with SL Benfica. The match was going to be played at the Ataturk Stadium, the largest stadium in Turkey. 75,000 Trabzonspor fans had already started to gather around the stadium, even though there were hours left for the match. The fans were walking around in large groups and lighting up the darkness with torches. People were having picnics around the stadium accompanied by collective cheers and dancing the Horon dance, the traditional dance of the city of Trabzon. Even though the match ended with Trabzonspor being eliminated from the Champions League, there was great enthusiasm and unity even at the end of the match. What I saw as an 8-year-old was an incredible experience in terms of getting to know Turkish football culture. Although we have talked about the positive aspects of Turkish football, there have been incidents in recent history that will be a black mark in Turkish football history. The 2010-2011 season was one of the most scandalous in Turkish football history. The match-fixing case that started throughout the country shook the whole country deeply. The case that started with the claim that match-fixing was done in the previous season resulted in the trial of club presidents, football players and people in the sports community. However, the most shocking event occurred with the arrest of the Fenerbahçe president. While these incidents were going on, there was a significant problem. Who was the champion of the 2010-2011 season? Who would go to the Champions League? Under normal conditions, Fenerbahçe would finish the Super League first and declare itself the champion. However, after the match-fixing rumors that emerged and the lawsuit was filed, Trabzonspor, which was in second place, objected to Fenerbahçe's championship. Fenerbahçe was banned from participating in the Champions League by the TFF (Turkish Football Federation) during the ongoing match-fixing case. Thereupon, TFF decided that Trabzonspor, who finished the Super League in 2nd place, would participate in the Champions League. Years have passed and people in Turkey still do not agree on who the 2010-2011 champion is. These past events have mostly concerned Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe Clubs and caused major problems between the fans. For the next 10 years, Trabzonspor has requested that the 2010-2011 championship and cup be given to it through domestic and foreign legal channels including FIFA, CAS, UEFA, TFF, ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) and the Swiss Federal Court, but has been rejected each time. In 2024 Turkey, Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor fans still have major differences of opinion on the championship. Football in Turkey is not just a sport but a passion deeply embedded in the fabric of society and a cultural symbol. The loyalty people have toward their teams reflects how they embrace their identities and cities. Whether it’s the intercontinental rivalry of giants like Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray or the enthusiasm of Trabzonspor fans, football consistently showcases Turkey’s cultural values. This passion is also reflected on the international stage, where the Turkish national team achieved remarkable success during UEFA Euro 2024, reaching the later stages of the tournament and reigniting national pride with their performance. Such achievements bring together fans across the country, uniting them under a common love for the sport. The significance of football in Turkey is not only seen in victories on the field but also in the way it influences social life and everyday interactions. This enduring bond, built over many years, ensures that football holds an irreplaceable place in Turkey’s cultural fabric, continually proving the unifying power of the sport.
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