Turkish player flags off protest

A Turkish football player planted a Palestinian flag in the middle of the pitch at a match , in an apparent protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza, Turkish broadcasters reported.

Updated on: Feb 5, 2009, 12:18:23 IST

Reuters | By HT Correspondent, Istanbul

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A Turkish football player planted a Palestinian flag in the middle of the pitch at a match on Tuesday, in an apparent protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza, Turkish broadcasters reported.

The Israeli military campaign, which ended in a Jan. 18 truce, triggered protests in Turkey where there is widespread support for the Palestinians.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was given a hero's welcome on his return home last Friday after accusing Israel of "knowing very well how to kill" during a sharp exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum. Sivasspor midfielder Ibrahim Dagasan placed the flag on the centre spot at a stadium in the central Turkish city of Sivas after his side beat Galatasaray in the quarter final of the Turkey Cup.

After he did so, some spectators chanted: "Damn Israel". Dagasan then raised a finger to his mouth, gesturing for them to be silent. One of Dagasan's team mates is the Israeli forward Pini Balili.

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