Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue face fines from the Turkish FA after displaying vests bearing tributes to Nelson Mandela.
The two Ivory Coast internationals unveiled their personal messages after Galatasaray’s game against Elazigspor on Friday, their first game after the death of South African icon Mandela.
Chelsea legend Drogba peeled off his shirt at the 2-0 win to reveal a tribute which said: 'Thank you Madiba' and former Arsenal defender Eboue’s vest said: 'Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela'.The Turkish FA (TFF) are planning to summon the Galatasaray pair to appear before the Professional Football Discipline Committee because they had not sought prior permission to display their messages.
It is in contrast to England where games this weekend have been preceded by a minute of applause in celebration of Mandela’s life and his role in ending apartheid in South Africa and transforming the international profile of Africa.
Plans to discipline Drogba and Eboue are certain to attract criticism and fuel debate in Turkey, where the TFF are trying to keep political imagery out of football as directed by FIFA, although it has proved increasingly difficult in a football-crazy nation beset by political tension.
Players from Fethiyespor were recently charged by the disciplinary committee for wearing t-shirts reading: 'Great Ataturk' in homage of the founder of modern Turkey.
The TFF claimed the gesture had brought politics into football but the decision was criticised by sports minister Suat Kilic, who warned against 'divisive decisions'.
Others have remarked on the fact that players who celebrate goals with the Rabia sign, the four-fingered salute which has become the symbol of the Muslim brotherhood, born out of resistance to the military coup in Egypt.
Emre Belozoglu, the former Newcastle midfielder now playing for Fenerbahce, is among those who have celebrated goals this season with a Rabia sign.
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