Eren Keskin: Interests Take Precedence Over Human Health in Football

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

Click to read the article in Turkish

"Basketball and volleyball leagues have been ended, but they have decided to resume football leagues. Because football is a sports branch largely dominated by money. The government and the federation worry about money before human health. When the games start, it will jeopardize not only the players themselves, but their families as well."

It is Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair and rights defender lawyer Eren Keskin who is speaking. One of the things that not many people know about her is her passion for football. As a fervent supporter of Galatasaray and Amedspor, she comments on the resumption of football leagues in above words.

In early May, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced that football leagues would resume in June.

Keskin says that - as she is not a physician or a football player herself - it is actually the players and public health specialists who should speak out about the issue. "There is, unfortunately, no organization due to the conditions imposed by capitalism. Interests take precedence over human health. Rights should be demanded for everyone," she adds.

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'A decision disregarding human health'

Reminding us that leagues have been ended in basketball and football, Keskin shares her opinions in following words:

"I think human health and public health are more precious than all else. Science Board is apparently not of the same opinion with the government about this issue, either. Unfortunately, the members of the Science Board cannot act bravely and say what they really think. I am, of course, not a physician, it is not our field of expertise. But when we look at the increase in the number of cases, it is understood that there is still a need for strict measures. So, it is seen that it is too early for the leagues to resume.

"Leagues have been ended in basketball and volleyball, but they have decided to resume football leagues. Because football is an industry. There is a lot of money to be made in football. In the period of pandemic that can come along once in a century, we have actually seen that capitalism has taken everyone captive. Money is more valuable than everything. And football is a sports branch largely dominated by money. That is why some decisions disregarding human life have been taken there.

'There is no organization that unites players'

"At this very point, it is actually the football players who need to speak here, but there is no organization in football due to the conditions imposed by capitalism. There are no organizations that unite football players. There are no organizations that would speak on their behalf.

"I am sure that the players themselves do not want to play, either. But, it seems that both the power-holders and football bosses prefer money.

"Power holders and football managers care more about the money that they will make out of football than the recommendations of Science Board members. Because everyone has, in a sense, become a slave to the money that will be brought in by football.

"I am of the opinion that when the games start, it will jeopardize not only the players themselves, but their families and families of teams as well.

'WHO must take clear decisions'

"Maybe the World Health Organization (WHO) must express more clear opinions about such issues. Because, in fact, all states are alike. Interests take precedence over human health. We see contradictory decisions, different decisions all around the world.

"I think the WHO falls short here. The WHO must take more clear measures and states must abide by them." (HA/SD)