The Turkish Football Association (TFF) has announced harsh punishments after the serious riots following the Süper Lig game between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce Istanbul. The association condemned the riot as “unacceptable”. It said in a statement that “those responsible for these incidents will be subject to the necessary criminal sanctions.” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had previously announced an in-depth investigation to identify the fans who stormed the pitch. “It is not acceptable under any circumstances for violence to occur on football pitches,” he wrote on the social network X.
After Fenerbahce’s 3-2 win at Trabzonspor, there was once again an outbreak of violence in the Turkish championship. A number of Trabzon fans stormed the pitch after the final whistle and attacked the celebrating Fenerbahce professionals. Pictures show, among other things, how a spectator threatens an Istanbul player with a corner flag. Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was hit in the face, according to media reports.
FIFA: “Players’ safety must be guaranteed”
The Fener professionals defended themselves: The Belgian national player and former Dortmund player Michy Batshuayi, who had secured Fenerbahce’s victory in the final phase with 3-2 (87th), kicked a fan who was running onto the lawn, as if on video see is. Bright Osayi-Samuel also beat up two Trabzon fans.
According to Turkish media reports, Fenerbahce players had to stay in the stadium for almost three hours after the game. The police also secured every single access to the expressway that leads to the city’s airport. To avoid collisions within the small airport, the team bus was allowed to drive directly onto the tarmac, local media reported.
A comment from Tobias Rabe Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 23 Daniel Theweleit, Cologne Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 4 A comment from Michael Wittershagen Published/Updated: Recommendations: 19
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino also condemned the fan attacks on the players as “absolutely unacceptable” and called for penalties. Violence on and off the field has “no place in our sport or our society,” wrote the president of the world football association on Instagram on Monday. “I have said it before and I will say it again: in football, the safety of all players without exception must be guaranteed in order to play the game that brings joy to so many people around the world,” Infantino said. He called on the relevant authorities to “hold the perpetrators of the shocking events in Trabzon accountable for their actions.”
Turkish football has recently made negative headlines with violent incidents. Last year, referee Halil Umut Meler was attacked after a game. Meler now also led the game in Trabzon.
