Galatasaray’s Drogba and Eboue, Reportedly to be Punished after Nelson Mandela Tribute Until Turkish Committee Decided to Let it Go
Great and humble people paid tribute to Nelson Mandela for the amazing legacy he had left behind. It is normal that people would want to pay tribute to such a great man who has dismantled the bequest of apartheid, inequality, and racism. Didier Drogba and Emmanual Eboue wouldn't want to be the last ones to pay respect Mandela.
On Friday, Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue removed their shirts after Galatasaray's win over SB Elagizspor. "Thank You, Madiba," was written on Drogba's shirt. "Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela," was printed on Eboue's shirt.
Unfortunately, while some people thought that it was a wonderful mark of respect for Mandela, the disciplinary committee of the Turkish Football Federation thought otherwise and believed that the footballers made a political statement without asking for equitable permission.
How would you feel if you are awarded a disciplinary action or punished just by paying honour and accolade to the great leader?
Drogba also expressed his tribute to the former South African president in Facebook. "Nelson did not only impact Africa, but also the rest of the world," Drogba wrote. He stated that the whole of humanity had lost a great man who was able to change the outlook and way of thinking of the entire world. He offered his condolences to Mandela's family, loved ones, as well as the South African community.
After much deliberation, the Turkish committee has decided to let the gestures of Drogba and Eboue just go, as reported by the Daily Mail. Their decision of not punishing the footballers were reportedly influenced by Galatasaray's action of hanging a huge banner of Mandela outside the stadium prior to the team's Tuesday match against Juventus.
Drogba, who was supposed to have been fined if the punishment did push through, stated that he would do the same thing over again. "I'm sorry but if I had to, I would do it again and again," he wrote on Instagram. "This man inspired me, a country, a continent, the world," he wrote. "Thanks again Madiba," Drogba concluded.