#Orkun Kökçü

[bizimcocuklar]

vs Montenegro

[ardans]

the two turks scoring for benfica 🪄

[olvaheiner]

[teamcristiano]

the biggest banner of the netherlands. spanning a total length of 550 meters. ❤️🤍

[lefkosahaberleri]

Benfica, Vitoria'yı 1-0 Mağlup Etti

New Post has been published on https://lefkosa.com.tr/benfica-vitoriayi-1-0-maglup-etti-25134/

Benfica, Vitoria'yı 1-0 Mağlup Etti

Benfica, Vitoria karşısında zorlu bir mücadele sonrası 1-0 galip geldi. Maçın detaylarına, oyuncu performanslarına ve önemli anlara göz atın. Benfica’nın zaferi, ligdeki iddiasını pekiştirdi.

https://lefkosa.com.tr/benfica-vitoriayi-1-0-maglup-etti-25134/ --------

[opiatemasses]

Football’s Inclusivity Problem: When Supporting One Group Silences Another

*Read the bold for the short blog

As a sports sociology student and advocate for social change, I approach this topic with a commitment to understanding the intersections of sport, identity, and societal values.

Ultimately, one must ask: Is football, and sport in general, truly achieving inclusivity, or is it merely paying lip service at the expense of the players?

The words “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” hold deep personal significance for many, including myself. However, these words have sparked controversy in sport, as seen in the case of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, and his stance on the Premier League's (PL) rainbow armband campaign.

Figure 1 - Photo by Paul Shaw on Unsplash

During the Rainbow Laces campaign (29th Nov – 5th Dec 24), the Premier League and Stonewall promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and tackled discrimination in sport using rainbow-themed items. However, the backlash against Guéhi for expressing his Christian beliefs by adding "I love Jesus" to his armband raised questions about the inclusiveness of similar initiatives such as BLM in sports, No Room for Racism and Women’s Sports Trust and Gender Equality. Guéhi faced criticism despite not making derogatory comments, highlighting a potential double standard in how expressions of faith are treated. He received a public warning from the FA but stood firm, later writing “Jesus loves you” in his next game.

Provocative? Yes. Offensive? Arguably, no. It was an expression of love and inclusivity from the Christian faith, championing the campaign’s message that no one is left. So why the uproar?

Interestingly, others declined to wear the rainbow armband for religious reasons, including Sam Morsy, captain of Ipswich Town FC, and a practising Muslim. Similarly, Orkun Kökçü of Feyenoord and a group of Muslim players from Toulouse FC made similar decisions but faced far less scrutiny.

The FA cited Guéhi as being in breach of FA Rule E3, which covers improper conduct, insinuating he had used offensive or threatening language referencing a protected characteristic. Is the PL’s acknowledgement of Muslim players fasting during Ramadan and making provisions the same as the expression of faith by a Christian plauer? What does this suggest about the distinction between acknowledging and expressing religious beliefs in professional sports?

Guéhi's actions highlight the tension between personal belief and institutional messaging in sport. His father, a church minister, accused the FA of double standards, pointing out the acceptance of religious references in national events like the FA Cup Final, where the hymn "Abide With Me" is sung, while criticising his son’s expression of faith. Activism plays a crucial role in democracy, as nobody should be told how to think or feel (Magrath, 2021).

Figure 2 - Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

From a sociological perspective, these instances reveal the complex interplay between individual beliefs, institutional values, and societal expectations. They also expose the challenges of creating truly inclusive spaces within sport, where multiple identities and perspectives coexist. Many athletes see their sports to escape the additional stressors they face in their daily lives (Newman et al., 2016), and debates like this only add to their mental load.

The controversy surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the PL’s Rainbow Laces campaign highlights the selective nature with which organisations like the FA push social justice agendas. Sportswashing, a term defining the use of sport by oppressive regimes to distract from human rights abuses, is pertinent here (Fruh et al., 2022).

While the FA and PL champion LGBTQ+ inclusivity through initiatives like Rainbow Laces, their financial ties to Qatar—a country with a notorious human rights record—expose their hypocrisy. Qatar’s criminalisation of homosexuality and oppressive laws starkly contrast the values promoted by these organisations. Yet, their lucrative commercial relationships with Qatari entities, such as Qatar Airways, go unchallenged.

This inconsistency reflects performative allyship, where organisations outwardly support social causes but fail to take meaningful action when economic interests are at stake. The PL’s acceptance of Qatari sponsorships undermines their LGBTQ+ advocacy, revealing the limitations of global sport as a vehicle for genuine social change.

These examples emphasise the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with inclusion, as it involves conflicting ideologies—religion and LGBTQ+ rights—within the public sphere of football. It raises questions about how sport navigates diverse belief systems while promoting unity. As homophobia declines, men are less policed by homohysteria (White et al., 2017).

The argument that Christian players face more scrutiny for expressing their faith compared to Muslim players highlights a perceived double standard in sport. Muslim players, particularly during Ramadan, are often accommodated with breaks for hydration, as seen in the Premier League. In contrast, Christian players face criticism for visible expressions of faith, such as wearing crosses or making the sign of the cross, with figures like Fabrice Muamba and Tim Howard facing media attention for discussing or displaying their beliefs. This disparity may stem from Christianity's historical dominance in the West, where its expressions are seen as mainstream, while minority religions are more actively accommodated. It also reflects secularisation, where traditional religious views are often sidelined in favour of cultural diversity, with the scrutiny of Christian players aiming to balance respect for faith with professional neutrality.

This controversy reflects broader societal struggles around diversity and inclusion. From a critical theory perspective, dominant ideologies within sport—shaped by Western liberal values—can marginalise alternative viewpoints, such as those informed by religious beliefs. This creates an environment where certain groups face greater criticism for expressing dissent, as evidenced by the backlash against Guéhi compared to his Muslim counterparts. Kaufman and Wolff's (2010) research on sport as a vehicle for social change demonstrates how athletes can be both empowered and constrained by institutional expectations. This tension is evident in Guéhi's case, where his attempt to express faith within the framework of inclusion met institutional resistance.

Through an intersectional lens, this situation reveals how overlapping identities—faith, ethnicity, and professional roles—impact public reactions. Christian players, often perceived as part of the majority in Western contexts, may face greater scrutiny because they challenge norms within a dominant framework. In contrast, Muslim players, associated with minority status, evoke different societal responses, reflecting cultural sensitivities and implicit biases.

There's also the issue of unspoken expectations placed on players. While supporting initiatives like Rainbow Laces or taking the knee isn’t mandatory, implicit pressure often compels players to participate, regardless of their personal beliefs. Those uncomfortable supporting such causes risk being branded as unsupportive, even though freedom of expression should extend to everyone.

This highlights a double standard within sports, where players who try to make a difference may be criticised, while those who refuse to participate in such movements face little consequence. The focus should be on supporting players brave enough to stand up for their beliefs while pushing sports organisations to implement genuine, lasting change.

Moving Forward

As a student of sports sociology, my aim is to explore how campaigns for inclusivity can be both effective and genuinely inclusive. How can sport become a space where diverse beliefs are respected without compromising the push for social progress? Using sociological theories, we can interrogate the ways power, culture, and identity shape these debates, ultimately working towards a more equitable sporting world.

Football clubs and governing bodies must go beyond visible acts of support. Cooper et al. (2019) emphasise that genuine social change in sport requires both individual activism and institutional support. Sustainable progress depends on creating spaces where diverse identities are respected while maintaining a commitment to equality. Institutions must implement long-term changes that tackle discrimination head-on, ensuring players can express their beliefs without fear.

The changes I want to see in football and sport go beyond symbolic gestures to create real, lasting impact. We need true inclusivity, with policies that actively support LGBTQ+ players and fans, ensuring football is a safe space for all. Players who take a stand should feel empowered, not fearful of backlash. Grassroots investment is essential to promote inclusivity at every level, not just the elite.

Football organisations must be accountable, taking concrete actions instead of issuing empty statements. Inclusivity should be an ongoing dialogue, not limited to specific campaigns.

Ultimately, football can create real, systemic change by moving beyond performative actions and becoming genuinely inclusive.

Figure 3 - Photo by Lars Bo Nielsen on Unsplash

[altinbilgiler]

Benfica, alanında Braga'ya yenildi

Portekiz Ligi’nin 17. haftasında Benfica ile Braga karşı karşıya geldi. Estadio da Luz2da oynanan çabayı konuk grup Braga 2-1’lik skorla kazandı. Braga, 17. dakikada Fran Navarro ve 40. dakikada Robson Bambu’nun golleriyle birinci yarıyı 2-0 önde kapattı. Benfica’nın tek golünü 78. dakikada Arthur Cabral kaydetti. BENFICA AĞIR YARA ALDI Maça birinci 11’de başlayan Orkun Kökçü 90 dakika, Kerem…

[bursahabermedya]

Orkun Kökçü'nün Liverpool'a Transfer Sesi Yükseliyor! İngiltere’de, Türk futbolunun önemli yeteneklerinden biri olan Orkun Kökçü hakkında heyecan verici gelişmeler yaşanıyor. Ada basınında çıkan haberlere göre, milli futbolcumuz Kökçü https://bursahabermedya.com/orkun-kokcunun-liverpoola-transfer-sesi-yukseliyor/ #Spor #bursahaber #bursasondakika #bursahaberleri #haberler #bursa

[life-kaan]

Galler karşısındaki ilk 11’imiz belli oldu: 🇹🇷

— Mert Günok

— Mert Müldür

— Merih Demiral

— Abdülkerim Bardakçı

— Eren Elmalı

— Orkun Kökçü

— Hakan Çalhanığlu

— Arda Güler

— Yunus Akgün

— Kerem Aktürkoğlu

— Barış Alper Yılmaz

[cengish05]

Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde üçüncü hafta maçları tamamlandı

Ankara Milli futbolcular Kerem Aktürkoğlu ve Orkun Kökçü’yü kadrosunda bulunduran Benfica, sahasında Feyenoord’a 3-1 yenildi. Benfica’nın tek golü 66. dakikada milli oyuncu Kerem Aktürkoğlu’ndan gelirken Orkun Kökçü karşılaşmanın 72. dakikada yerini Renato Sanches’e bıraktı. Barcelona sahasında ağırladığı Bayern Münih’i 4-1 yenmeyi başardı. Katalan temsilcisinde Raphinha’nın “hat trick” yaptığı…

[bizimcocuklar]

Special post for my boy Arda ! 🥰🥺

[thekerimkucuk]

Son Dakika:Halil Umut Meler Yine UEFA Görev Aldı

UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi 3.Hafta 23.10.2024 Çarşamba 22.00 Benfica-Feyenoord Halil Umut Meler Düdük Çalacak. Yardımcı Hakem Kerem Ersoy ve İbrahim Çağlar Uyarcan yapacak. 4.Hakemi Tanıdık İsim Arda Kardeşler Olacak. Kerem Aktürkoğlu Ve Orkun Kökçü Buluşacak. Tabii Spor Naklen Yayınlanacak. Kerim Küçük.

[tamam-ne-olsun]

Din ile, imanla, inançla işi olmayan Allahsız soytarılar, dindarları eleştiriyor, hakaret ediyor.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu ve Orkun Kökçü nün, Portekiz de helâl et sıkıntısı yaşamaları üzerinden paylaştıkları muhabbete, "1400 yıl öncesinin kafasıyla yaşayan tipler" diye hakaret eden soysuzlarin, zamanında memleketi işgal eden, etmeye kalkan zihniyetten hiç bir farkı yok, hatta daha beter kahpedirler.

[hotnew-pt]

Benfica vence e cola no pelotão de cima do Campeonato Português #ÚltimasNotícias #Brasil

Hot News Vangelis Pavlidis, Orkun Kökçü e Arthur Cabral maracaram na vitória por 3 a 0, fora de casa, contra o Boavista Foto: Divulgação/Benfica – Legenda: Benfica vence o Boavista / Jogada10 O Benfica venceu o Boavista por 3 a 0 nesta segunda-feira (23), pela sexta rodada do Campeonato Português. No Estádio do Bessa, na cidade de Porto, Vangelis Pavlidis, Orkun Kökçü e Arthur Cabral…

[profresmi]

Fenerbahçe, Benfica forması giyen milli oyuncu Orkun Kökçü için resmi görüşmelere başladı.

[altinbilgiler]

Benfica deplasmanda Sporting'e yenildi

Portekiz Primeira Liga’nın 16. haftasında Sporting, Benfica’yı ağırladı. Ev sahibi grup çabayı 1-0’lık skorla kazanmayı başardı. Sporting’in golünü 29. dakikada Geny Catamo kaydetti. MAĞLUBİYETE MANİ OLAMADILAR Benfica’da Orkun Kökçü ile Kerem Aktürkoğlu da forma giydi. Mağlubiyete mani olamayan ulusal futbolcularımızdan Kerem, 75. dakikada oyundan alınırken Orkun Kökçü ise 90 dakika alanda…