A group of Trabzonspor supporters invade the field and engage in a physical altercation with Fenerbahce players following their team’s loss.

In Sunday’s match, Trabzonspor’s supporters aggressively entered the field and engaged in physical altercations with security personnel and Fenerbahce players. This is just one example of the ongoing issues plaguing the league this season.

Fenerbahce, currently in second place in the Super Lig, received two goals from Brazilian midfielder Fred in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

North Macedonia midfielder Enis Bardhi curled in a free-kick after 63 minutes for the hosts and Trézéguet equalised with a penalty in the 78th. Fenerbahce’s Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi scored an 87th-minute winner as tensions ran high between the two teams, who have a history of chaotic encounters, and fans hurled objects on to the field.

At the end of the game, Fenerbahce’s team gathered in the middle of the field to celebrate. However, one of the team’s supporters came onto the field and got into a physical altercation with defender Bright Osayi-Samuel. Video evidence showed Osayi-Samuel throwing a punch at the fan, and even striker Batshuayi kicking at other supporters as security personnel attempted to intervene. In the chaos, numerous other fans also made their way onto the field while the security team tried to protect the Fenerbahce players as they left the field.

The coach of Fenerbahce, Ismail Kartal, stated that his players did not incite the fans and that it was the team who was attacked, while the opposing coach, Abdullah Avci, expressed being disturbed by the events at the end.

Ali Yerlikaya, the interior minister, stated on X that a probe has been initiated to identify the fans involved in the brawl and who entered the field. He also emphasized that sportsmanship should be the priority and violence on football fields should not be tolerated.

The occurrence follows a string of other issues within the Turkish league this year, including a physical assault on a referee by a team leader, the delay of a Turkish cup championship in Saudi Arabia, and various demonstrations against rulings made by referees.

Source: theguardian.com