The official website for European football

Football for peace in Bursa

Published: Thursday 15 October 2009, 20.10CET
UEFA President Michel Platini attended Wednesday night's FIFA World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia in Bursa – a match which had great historical significance for the two countries.
Football for peace in Bursa
UEFA President Michel Platini alongside Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan (left) and Turkey's President Abdullah Gül ©Turkish President's media office
 
Published: Thursday 15 October 2009, 20.10CET

Football for peace in Bursa

UEFA President Michel Platini attended Wednesday night's FIFA World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia in Bursa – a match which had great historical significance for the two countries.

UEFA President Michel Platini attended last night's FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Turkey and Armenia in Bursa – a game which had great historical significance for the two countries.

Two countries' accord
The Group 5 match followed the weekend's accord signed in Switzerland between Turkey and Armenia normalising relations and establishing diplomatic ties. Mr Platini watched the match together with the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gül, and the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. They were accompanied by the UEFA first vice-president Senes Erzik, the President of the Turkish Football Association, Mahmut Özgener, and the President of the Football Federation of Armenia, Ruben Hayrapetyan.

Crowning moment
The match on Wednesday was a crowning moment in the process of sporting fraternisation which saw the presidents of the two countries attend the FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan in September 2008. A handshake between the two presidents at that match was seen as a historic moment showing that sport is an important instrument in bringing people together.

Last updated: 13/04/12 4.18CET

http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/respect/news/newsid=903725.html#football+peace+bursa

  • © 1998-2013 UEFA. All rights reserved.
  • The UEFA word, the UEFA logo and all marks related to UEFA competitions, are protected by trade marks and/or copyright of UEFA. All rights reserved. No use for commercial purposes may be made of such trade marks. Use of UEFA.com signifies your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.