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Turkey fans fail to observe minute's silence for Paris attacks

Turkey's players observe a a minute of silence to pay tribute to victims of attacks
Image: Turkey's players mark the minute's silence ahead of kick-off

Some Turkey fans disrupted a minute's silence for the victims of the Paris attacks ahead of their friendly with Greece in Istanbul on Tuesday night.

The mark of respect was observed at matches across Europe, including at Wembley where England and France supporters joined together in a moving tribute to the 129 people killed in Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.

However, in Istanbul a number of Turkey fans did not observe the minute's silence ahead of kick-off at the 17,000-capacity sold-out Basaksehir Stadium, instead booing, whistling and chanting.

Turkish supporters wave flags during an international friendly soccer match between Greece and Turkey November 17, 2015
Image: Turkish supporters wave flags during the international friendly

Football supporters in Turkey often whistle and chant slogans during games and it was not clear whether their actions were aimed at opponents Greece rather than condoning the atrocities in France in any way.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim, however, criticised the fans afterwards on TV8.

Turkey's head coach Fatih Terim
Image: Head coach Fatih Terim was not happy with Turkey's fans

"We shouldn't portray ourselves like this," said Terim. "When our fans act like that, we will have a hard time explaining ourselves to the rest of the world.

"Why can't we show just a minute of respect?"

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The match, which was the first time the two teams had met in eight years, finished goalless with former European champions Greece, who failed to qualify for Euro 2016, having just one goal attempt against Turkey's 12.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) and Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu
Image: Greek PM Alexis Tsipras (left) and Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras watched the game together, in a sign of reconciliation between the two neighbours, whose relationship has suffered from hostilities in the past.

Turkey, who have not lost this year qualified for next summer's European Championship in third place in their group.

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