Violence & Brawls ·
After qualification, a melee in Istanbul
Switzerland reached the 2006 World Cup, then footage showed a confrontation stretching from the field into the tunnel. Stéphane Grichting was treated at a hospital, while responsibility for the violence was disputed as FIFA opened an inquiry.
Switzerland had secured a place at the 2006 World Cup, but the players’ departure from the field became a confrontation. After Turkey’s 4–2 victory in Istanbul on 16 November 2005, television pictures showed players fighting with one another and officials as they entered the tunnel toward the dressing rooms. Swiss substitute Stéphane Grichting was reportedly taken to a hospital. By the following day, FIFA had opened an investigation.
The result explained why the winning side was not the qualifying side. Switzerland had won the first leg 2–0, leaving the teams level at 4–4 on aggregate after the match in Istanbul. The Swiss advanced on away goals. Marco Streller’s 84th-minute goal had given them a second away goal; Tuncay Sanli completed his hat-trick five minutes later, but Turkey still fell short. Amid the tension, Swiss coach Köbi Kuhn told Swiss television there should be “no lap of honour” or show of joy.
The footage showed parts of the violence, though it did not settle every allegation about what happened. Benjamin Huggel appeared to kick a member of the Turkish staff as he ran from the field. Turkey’s Alpay then appeared to kick a Swiss player near the tunnel. Television pictures showed a melee involving players from both teams. These were visible acts in a wider confrontation, not a complete account of responsibility for the attacks reported afterward.
Swiss midfielder Johann Lonfat gave a more extensive account to L’Equipe. “There some Swiss players were beaten by Turkish players and by police who were supposed to provide security,” he said of the tunnel. He said Grichting had received blows, was covered in blood and had gone to the hospital in shock. Lonfat also said Johann Vogel and Huggel had been hit. His allegation of police involvement was not established by the footage described in contemporary coverage.
The Swiss team’s explanation of Huggel’s conduct was qualified. Spokesman Pierre Benoit said the team had not yet seen the pictures and was therefore making no statement about them. He nevertheless offered a provisional defence: “In principle, however, we believe Huggel was defending himself after he and Tranquillo Barnetta came under attack.” Turkey striker Halil Altintop gave a sharply different assessment. “A few of our players overreacted after the match but I am happy there were no serious incidents,” he said, adding that Swiss players he knew had told him everything was fine.
Switzerland lodged an official complaint with FIFA, which was to be heard on 9 December. Meanwhile, Grichting had rejoined the team, but Benoit said he had needed a catheter and would require seven to ten days to recover. “Everything is not okay,” he said.