Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Djorkaeff left out of Turkey match because of death threats
by Agence France-Presse - 11/15/2000
Posted: Thursday, November 16, 2000 06:55 pm CST

ISTANBUL, Nov 15 (AFP) - French international midfielder Youri Djorkaeff was left out of the squad for Wednesday night's friendly against Turkey after receiving death-threats, team-mate Emmanuel Petit claimed Tuesday.

Of Armenian-origin Djorkaeff has supported organisations publicising the alleged genocide against Armenians under the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the centry.

And Barcelona defender Petit said that it was because of this that the Kaiserslautern player was not on the squad.

"Youri's injury is not the reason he is not with us. The real reason he has refused to come is political. He has received death threats, but I do not know where they came from.

"I find it shocking that a player is prevented from doing his job. Youri isn't responsible except that he's Armenian," said Petit.

Earlier French team coach Roger Lemerre rejected political motivations for Djorkaeff's absence and put it down to injury.

"It wasn't a good time to call upon his services. At no time did I think of this political aspect. Sport has nothing to do with that," said Lemerre.

The French senate on November 8 approved a bill recognising the killings of Turkish Armenians in 1915 when the Ottoman Empire was still the ruling power.

This has caused great anger among Turks, even though the bill cannot be passed into law until it has been debated by the National Assembly.

Armenians say that 1.5 million people died in massacres and mass deportations in the last days of the empire, while its neighbour Turkey claims about 300,000 Armenians were killed in what it says was a revolt against the authorities.

Related Information...

Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives