Turkey face Uefa wrath after players celebrate goal with salute in controversial support of military action in Syria

TURKEY could face punishment from Uefa after celebrating a 1-0 win with a military-style salute.

Cenk Tosun capitalised on a defensive mix-up to head into an open goal in the 90th minute of Turkey's Euro 2020 qualifier with Albania.

The Turks celebrated wildly, jumping over the advertising hoardings in jubilation after taking a big step towards qualification for Euro 2020.

But after stepping back on to the pitch, Tosun led his team in a stand of defiance, with their right hand touching the side of their head like soldiers.

It would appear that the celebration was in support of Turkey's controversial military action against Syria.

Turkey has launched airstrikes and fired artillery in northern Syria in a bid to crush Kurdish fighters, with reports of civilian fatalities.

POLITICAL STATEMENT?

Should Uefa deem the salutes from Tosun and his team-mates as a political statement, they could hand a heavy punishment to Turkey.

Earlier this season, European football's governing body fined Slovakia £13,300 for "provocative political messages".

Meanwhile, last year Fifa hit Swiss players Granit Xhaka, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Xherdan Shaqiri with fines for using the Albanian Eagle celebration at the World Cup.

The gesture is a nationalist symbol that represents the double headed eagle on Albania's national flag .

Serbia demanded a two-match ban for the move but Fifa did not agree and stuck to just a financial punishment.

And although that was under a different jurisdiction with Fifa, Turkey could be on the end of a penalty from Uefa.

SunSport have contacted Uefa for comment.