VIENNA — Associated Press Published on Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2008 9:37AM EDT Last updated on Monday, Mar. 30, 2009 3:56PM EDT
Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was suspended for two matches Wednesday after being ejected against the Czech Republic last week at the European Championship.
Demirel will miss the quarterfinal game here against Croatia on Friday night. The goalkeeper was sent off in the final minute of Turkey's 3-2 win in Group A on Sunday in Geneva for knocking down striker Jan Koller. He then sat on the team's bench in violation of FIFA rules.
The Turkish football federation was also fined $42,000 for improper conduct of its fans, players and officials.
"The sanction of the (fine) and the two-match suspension for the Turkey goalkeeper was linked to the fact that after getting a red card, he sat on the bench when he was supposed to be out of the technical area," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said. "And we had some problems with some Turkish fans trying to enter the pitch, and also the presence of about 25 unaccredited people after the game in the Turkish dressing room."
Demirel and the federation have 24 hours to appeal the suspension and fine.
Despite Turkey coach Fatih Terim appearing to come into contact with the fourth official when angrily arguing after the Czechs had taken a 2-0 lead on Sunday, Gaillard said no action will be taken.
"You would need to have something in the referee's report to note that something has occurred," he said. "There's nothing about the coaches."
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