Ottoman Espionage Activies in UK

[kivanc]

Hello there. i found a link today in a turkish int site that i don't trust.
but still i will paste it as the matter is interesting.
http://www.netpano.com/haber/3153/CONFIDANT//Did/Abdülhamid/establish///Portsmouth/Football/Club//

a small part

"My Khan, 1890s…Attack plan against British sneakiness …" Upon Khan's command of "Read!", Confidant kept on: "Secret organization of British founded a Sport Fitbol (Football) Team in Istanbul to conduct their operational and information gathering activities. This team composed of Rum and Armenian youth caused many damages (deceitful events and activities) inIstanbul and all Ottoman lands." Great Khan ordered: "Let there be Fitbol Team in Britain immediately, Let it be called 'Blue Army'. Let all the expenses be collected from Imperial Treasury."

there is also another well-known theory (not from the same link), maybe some of you heard. i don't have a link for it now. 2nd one it is.


so here are 2 arguments; let's discuss.
1) Abdulhamid II ordered the foundation of Portsmouth FC
2) Abdulhamid II supported IRA financially or with arms


Facts we know for sure:
* Abdulhamid II was very interested in espionage/counter-espionage activites. He is called "Red Sultan" for this reason.
* UK had quite a lot espionage activities in Ott Emp (Lawrence of Arabia as an example) and still has in Turkey and mid east.
* Abdulhamid II was aware of a UK spy (i forgot the name) staying in his palace but still let him be there and they had good relations.
* it is hard to decide/believe in such arguments without real documents as proofs
* intelligence agencies reveal some truths after many decades. maybe we learn one day.

 

[stormbind]

Are you suggesting that Portsmouth FC is a centre for Turkish espionage?

 

[BCLG100]

Are you suggesting that Portsmouth FC is a centre for Turkish espionage?

Are you suggesting it's not?

 

[stormbind]

I have no knowledge of Fratton Park, except that its in a dump

 

[BCLG100]

I have no knowledge of Fratton Park, except that its in a dump

That's what they want you to think, how else will they sneak the Janissaries in?

 

[kivanc]

i don't suggest. the link does.

we also heard of similar espionage activities thru football today and 90s so it is interesting. hard to believe but possible.

maybe abdulhamid II really founded a club in UK but it is not a strong club like portsmouth

 

[Karalysia]

That's interesting, I'm currently studying the Ottoman Empire haven't heard of this before.

 

[stormbind]

maybe abdulhamid II really founded a club in UK but it is not a strong club like portsmouth

Portsmouth started at the bottom like all the others.

 

[daveishere55]

Obviously the Ottoman Empire is secretly still in existence, using their network of Football (or Soccer, for those of us living in the US) teams as a massive, worldwide spy network in order to control the world's perception of certain countries whenever the World Cup comes around!

BAN FOOTBALL! PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS!

 

[kivanc]

Obviously the Ottoman Empire is secretly still in existence, using their network of Football (or Soccer, for those of us living in the US) teams as a massive, worldwide spy network in order to control the world's perception of certain countries whenever the World Cup comes around!

BAN FOOTBALL! PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS!

i know it sounds funny. but football is a great place for esp & political activities. we know this. even if ottomans didn't have any team in UK for such reasons, we know that similar cases exist in some places, not necessariliy ottoman empire in UK. and also there have been some spies working as football players.
football is 1 of the rare interests that reveals social side of people. there are very few possibilities in life to interact so many people at the same time.