Following repeated sexist and racist insults against Kurdish politician Leyla Zana in Turkish soccer stadiums, the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) in Amed (tr. Diyarbakır) has filed a criminal complaint. In front of the courthouse, the association’s women’s commission criticized the slogans as part of a “systematically organized hate campaign” directed against women, Kurds, and political expression.
The criticism centers on chants heard in recent days at the stadiums of Turkish soccer clubs Bursaspor, Ankaragücü, and Rizespor. The chants were directed personally against Zana, one of the best-known Kurdish politicians and a former member of the Turkish parliament.
“Organized attacks, not isolated incidents”
Ekin Yeter, co-chair of ÖHD, explained in a speech that the verbal attacks could not be considered spontaneous reactions by individual fans: “These insults stem from a combination of male-dominated mentality and deeply rooted racist structures. They are part of a deliberate intimidation strategy. It is telling that a woman with no connection to soccer is being targeted solely because of her political and ethnic identity.”
Yeter accused the responsible clubs, the football authorities, and the security forces of inaction. At the match between Bursaspor and Amedspor in March 2023, where there had been a racially motivated lynching attempt and images of JITEM criminal Mahmut Yıldırım (“Yeşil”) and images of white Toros vehicles—both symbols of the state policy of “disappearances” in Kurdistan in the 1990s—were shown, those responsible remained largely inactive.
Criticism of TFF and systemic inaction
The ÖHD Women’s Commission called on the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and state authorities to fulfill their duty to intervene against such incidents and the “climate of fear” created in stadiums. “The disciplinary regulations not only require intervention in the event of violations, but also oblige active prevention of such incidents. The fact that neither the referees nor the officials reacted to the sexist chants against Leyla Zana constitutes a violation of this duty,” said Yeter.
The lawyer also criticized the normalization of hate speech in stadiums. “Soccer, as a space with broad social influence, is increasingly becoming a venue for discrimination and hate speech. This contradicts the true spirit of the sport and jeopardizes social cohesion. These attacks do not only affect Zana – they are directed against the idea of peace, equality, and a shared life in dignity,” said Yeter. The statement ended with the Kurdish slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom).
Sports minister announces legal action
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak also commented in parliament on the insults against Leyla Zana. He said that legal action had been taken in conjunction with the TFF. “We will never accept these events. Those responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with Law 6222, which sanctions violence and riots in sport,” said the minister. This could include stadium bans and other disciplinary measures. Bak emphasized that hate speech and discriminatory remarks are contrary to the ethical spirit of sport. “Whoever is behind this, such behavior is unacceptable,” said the minister.