After the football club Trabzonspor became champion in Turkey, musician Matthaios Tsahouridis, who would give a concert at the celebrations held at Trabzon Medical Park Stadium on the evening of 14 May, was targeted by Zafer Partisi Chairman Ümit Özdağ. Thereupon, the musician was prevented from appearing on the stage by the Trabzonspor management.
Zafer Partisi Chairman Ümit Özdağ targeted Greek artist Matthaios Tsahouridis in a post on his Twitter account as follows:
“Matthaios Tsahouridis is a person who commemorates 19 May 1919 as the anniversary of the so-called Pontic genocide. I’m sure you didn’t know. Please do not spoil the celebration. Warning from a Fenerbahce friend”
Upon these words, Trabzonspor management did not allow Tsahouridis to go on to the stage.
Apolas Lermi, another artist in the program, cancelled his concert to support Tsahouridis and protest this decision.
A short part of Apolas Lermi’s statement on social media is as follows:
“The program we planned together with Matthaios Tsahouridis at the Trabzonspor trophy ceremony this evening was canceled by the Trabzonspor management after the pressure of some political circles. I was asked to give the concert alone, but I did not accept it. I stated that if Matthaios wouldn’t go on to the stage, I would not go eithher. We apologize to our fans who came to see us.”