Bursa Governor: We will not let any wrongdoing damage the relations between the two countries

PanARMENIAN.Net - All precautions have been taken to prevent any incidents during the upcoming national football game between Turkey and Armenia, the governor of the host city said Thursday.



"A warm welcome here will earn prestige not only for Bursa but also for the country and boost Turkey's image," Şahabettin Harput, the governor of the northwestern city of Bursa told the Anatolia news agency.

Atatürk Stadium in Bursa, the automobile and textile capital of Turkey, will host a 2012 World Cup Qualifying Group 5 game between Turkey and Armenia on Wednesday.



In light of both countries' political history, there were worries of trouble triggered by ultra-nationalist groups in Bursa, but the government took a string of precautions to avoid them.



"The tickets to the game will not be sold," daily Hürriyet reported on Monday, "and will be distributed to hundreds of policemen and soldiers who will enter the stadium as civilians."



More than 2,000 police officials will be on duty on the match day, and reinforcements can be called in from neighboring cities. Every fan will be searched before entering the stadium, and nothing will be allowed in but Turkish flags and red-white fabric. No provocative chanting and banners will be allowed, said Harput. The spectators will not even be allowed to bring in pieces of cardboard to sit on, as they could write slogans on them.



"The Armenia game will be beyond an ordinary football match," said Gov. Harput. We will not let any wrongdoing happen before, during or after the game that will damage the relations between the two countries."