Euro 2016: UEFA refuses to observe a minute's silence for victims of the Istanbul attacks

Plagued with off-field events, EURO 2016 gets involved in another incident which has no connection to the game. The whole world was shocked by the terrorist attack which took place in Istanbul a few days back, where 42 people lost their lives and left hundreds injured. UEFA seems to have turned a deaf ear to the incident. They refused to observe a minutes’ silence before the matches of the on-going EURO 2016. Though they had previously paid respects to the victims of the Paris attacks last year during the EURO qualifiers last year.

UEFA journalist Rob Harris said that they had omitted the idea of observing one minute of silence for the Istanbul attacks as the incident had no direct connection with football. It was reported that UEFA considers only those incidents which has a direct connection to football or if it is related to one of the participating team or the host nation.

UEFA: No minute's silence for Istanbul airport victims at #EURO2016 quarterfinals

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 29, 2016

When the Paris attacks took place last year, European Football Association stated, “UEFA wishes to express its support and solidarity to France and those affected by these horrible acts.” As reported by The Express Tribune. UEFA also instructed the teams to wear black armbands and observe a minutes silence in each game in memory of the victims.

UEFA’s bold statement made the social media erupt. Several tweets came in from people who were shocked to hear UEFA’s course of action about the matter.

UEFA refused a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Istanbul. I'm not surprised at all.

— Selahattin Baki (@PATRIOTS1899) June 29, 2016

I think uefa is disgusting in not holding a minutes silence for victims of Istanbul terror attack

— john callander (@callanderj) June 29, 2016

Though, in the quarter-final match played between Portugal and Poland, players and spectators present at the Stade Velodrome (Marseille) paused for a moment of applause in memory of the victims involved in the Istanbul attacks prior to the kick-off.

It is learnt from reports from Iranian Government that there were as many as 10 foreign nationals and three dual citizens amongst the victims. Normal functioning of the Ataturk airport, where the incident took place was disrupted on Tuesday. Flights resumed partially on Wednesday morning, while many of the flights were either cancelled or delayed.