While the World Cup is on in Qatar, stadium violence is escalating in Turkey!
In the second division derby Göztepe Izmir against Altay Izmir, a home fan completely loses his nerve. The man runs onto the field, rips the corner flag from its holder and attacks the away team with it.
Turkey derby escalates totally Fan beats goalkeeper with corner flag
His victim: Altay goalkeeper Ozan Evrim Özenç (29). The fan hits the flagpole with full force on the back and the goalkeeper. The player falls to the ground, trying to protect his head with his hands. His teammates, flinching in shock, flee.
The man is then held by bystanders. A player from the home team is also among those who intervene.
The victim suffered a four centimeter laceration.
The game was previously suspended due to violent riots in the stands. At least one man was taken from the stands to the lawn for treatment, bleeding profusely.
Photos show that the man suffered burns on his abdomen. He was bleeding profusely from his head. Apparently pyrotechnics had been thrown into the block beforehand. The stadium floor was covered in blood.
Two ambulances were parked to transport the seriously injured.
The seriously injured is transported away
In the chaos, the flag attacker was able to get onto the pitch unnoticed
Altay goalkeeper Ozan Evrim Özenç followed the action in his penalty area and spoke to a team-mate. Then the blow came from behind.
Göztepe and Altay are two rival football clubs from the Turkish city of Izmir. The game has now been paused.
