An opportunity for Richmond to either play in the traditional Anzac Day arvo game if the Pies and Bombers head to Turkey or to play in the one-off game in Turkey ourselves.
Turks get behind fly-in Anzac clash Jon Pierik
The Age
January 6, 2013 THE businessman hoping to organise the Gallipoli centenary clash in Istanbul says financial support from the Turkish government is all but guaranteed and all he now needs is approval from the AFL.
Ismail Ozsoy is an Australian-born businessman with Turkish parents who was granted approval by the Turkish government to pitch for the match. He said he had received ''90 per cent'' backing from the government and six major businesses in Turkey to stage the match on Anzac Day in 2015, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
Ozsoy floated the idea in 2010 but was told only on Friday about the government and business support, which he insists will cover all expenses. He wants Collingwood and Essendon to take part, but is awaiting a response from the AFL's international development manager Tony Woods. Woods is on leave and AFL headquarters is closed. The Magpies and Bombers are also closed for business. A Collingwood spokesman said any proposal would not be discussed for at least another week.
Ozsoy said both clubs had previously indicated they were unwilling to pay for the trip. If the Magpies and Bombers are not interested, Ozsoy said he would approach other clubs.
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He said a decision was needed soon as he had been told the Australian Rugby League Commission was interested in staging a clash between Australia and New Zealand on the same date.
''Personally, if the AFL turn around and say we are still not interested, even though they are not going to pay a cent for it, then my opinion is they don't care about Anzac Day,'' he said. ''What a great way this is to remember the fallen, where it actually happened.
''I don't want to get everyone too excited because if they [AFL] are not excited, there is no point.
''But they [Turkish government and businesses] have said 90 per cent. When it comes through the channels it has come from, and they have given it to me in writing as well, it doesn't matter whether the government goes by 2015, because it has been approved, it has to happen. But, of course, it takes two to tango.''
Ozsoy said the Returned Servicemen's League had endorsed the concept, which he estimates will cost up to $3 million.
''The Turkish government believe this event should be celebrated in a proper way and they should have Australian involvement,'' he said.
If the Magpies and Bombers agreed to the one-off game, it would mean replacement teams would need to be found for their traditional MCG afternoon clash.The match in Istanbul would be held at the Galatasaray soccer club's stadium, which has a capacity of about 80,000 and would require its athletics track to be covered.
The match would be telecast live in Melbourne at 9pm.
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/turks-get-behind-flyin-anzac-clash-20130105-2ca9a.html#ixzz2H85KVVvP
