UEFA will not hold a vigil in honour of the Istanbul terrorist attack victims which claimed the lives of 41 innocent people and injured many more.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack which took place at the Atatürk airport – Europe’s third-busiest airport – but Turkish officials were quick to lay blame at Daesh’s door.
Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance before blowing themselves up after armed resistance from local policemen.
Associated Press journalist Rob Harris confirmed that UEFA will not hold a vigil as Turkey are neither a host country nor participating at Euro 2016 anymore after being eliminated in the group stages.
UEFA: No minute's silence for Istanbul airport victims at #EURO2016 quarterfinals
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 29, 2016
UEFA says it holds minute's silence when tragedies are "related to football directly, or to one of the participating teams or host country"
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 29, 2016
Turkey did however, participate in the European Championships which has left many feeling confused and frustrated with the decision.
The ruling has been widely criticised and UEFA have been urged to reconsider. The European footballing ruling body has held vigils respecting the victims of tragedies and terrorist attacks in the past.
