Trabzonspor Fans Attack Fenerbahçe Players, Security While Storming Pitch After Loss
Mar 18, 2024
TRABZON, TURKIYE - MARCH 17: Security officers take measure as a brawl break out between players of Fenerbahce and supporters, who enter the pitch, after the Turkish Super Lig week 30 football match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at Papara Park in Trabzon, Turkiye on March 17, 2024. (Photo by Hasan Tascan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fans of Turkish club Trabzonspor stormed the pitch following the club's 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahçe on Sunday.
According to Reuters, Fenerbahçe players were celebrating their win when a Trabzonspor supporter ran toward the center circle. More supporters came onto the pitch and began shoving stadium security as well.
Footage of the incident surfaced on social media. A supporter is shown running at the Fenerbahçe players after scaling the advertising hoardings. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel confronts the person, which further escalate the situation:
This was the moment Fenerbahce players were attacked by Trabzonspor "fans" following their 3-2 win against them.
Truly shocking scenes in the Turkish Super Lig 😳🇹🇷
FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a statement condemning what unfolded at Papara Park.
"The violence witnessed after the Turkish Süper Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe is absolutely unacceptable — on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society," he said.
"I have said it before, and I will say it again — without exception, in football, all players have to be safe and secure to play the game which brings such joy to so many people all over the world."
Infantino also called for the relevant authorities in Turkey to investigate the matter
Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey's minister of the interior, announced on X such an inquiry is already underway with officials working to identity the supporters who stormed the pitch.
Above all, sport is gentlemanship. It is never acceptable for violence to take place on football pitches," Yerlikaya said (via Reuters).
Fenerbahçe took a 2-0 lead Sunday before Trabzonspor equzlized from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. Michy Batshuayi provided the winning goal in the 87th minute, at which point some Trabzonspor supporters began throwing objects onto the pitch, per the BBC.
Fenerbahce vs. Besiktas Abandoned Due to Fan Unrest, Manager Injuries
Apr 19, 2018
Martin Skrtel of Fenerbahce SK keeps Mustafa Pektemek of Besiktas JK calm during the Ziraat Turkish Cup match Fenerbahce AS and Besiktas AS at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on April 19, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
The Istanbul derby between Besiktas and Fenerbahce was abandoned on Thursday after violent scenes involving the fans, as well as an incident in the tunnel.
According to the Daily Mirror's Andrew Gilpin, Besiktas coach Senol Gunes required stitches after he was hit in the head by an object thrown by the fans. The incident occurred in the 58th minute, and the match was eventually abandoned.
Assistant coach Erdinc Gultekin was also injured. Per the report, there was a tunnel bust-up, but most of the troubles took place on the pitch.
As you can see in the image below, Gunes was hit right on the top of his head:
The match between Fenerbahce and Besiktas has been abandoned after an object was thrown toward the Besiktas dugout. Besiktas coach Senol Gunes was struck and needed 5 stitches. 😨 pic.twitter.com/xJTEl3mWC6
Thursday's match was a cup semi-final between bitter rivals, and following an early red card for Pepe, things only grew more heated.
The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the semi-finals,. The Turkish FA will decide on a date to replay the second leg, which will likely take place behind closed doors. The winners will face Akhisarspor, who shocked Galatasaray 2-0 on Wednesday to become the first team to qualify for the final.
Robin van Persie Injury: Fenerbahce Forward Injures Eye vs. Akhisar
Nov 6, 2016
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Robin van Persie of Fenerbahce reacts during the UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United FC and Fenerbahce SK at Old Trafford on October 20, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
Fenerbahce confirmed Sunday that striker Robin van Persie suffered an eye injury in the club's 3-1 win against Akhisar Belediyespor, according to BBC Sport.
The initial fear was that the Dutch star sustained major damage to his left eye, with his vision possibly impacted. Fenerbahce team doctor Burak Kunduraciogl allayed those fears.
"He received a blow to the eye and suffered a torn eyelid and bleeding," Kunduraciogl said. "After the investigations, we learned that nothing important happened. His condition is good."
The man himself posted the following update on his Twitter feed:
Van Persie enjoyed a strong debut season in Istanbul after moving from Manchester United. He scored 16 goals in 31 league appearances as Fenerbahce finished runners-up for the second year in a row.
The Turkish giants have struggled, however, in 2016-17. They're fifth in the Super Lig table through 10 matches, six points behind second-place Besiktas and eight points off leaders Istanbul Basaksehir.
Van Persie is tied with Emmanuel Emenike for the club lead in goals with three. Taking the 33-year-old out of the lineup would be a big blow for Fenerbahce, especially with the final two Europa League group-stage matches ahead over the next month.
Fenerbahce also face off with Galatasaray on Nov. 20, so the club will need Van Persie to make a speedy recovery if he's going to be fit for the Istanbul derby.
Moussa Sow Scores Incredible Overhead Kick for Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United
Nov 3, 2016
Moussa Sow started Fenerbahce's UEFA Europa League clash with Manchester United in spectacular fashion on Thursday when he scored a sensational overhead kick after just two minutes.
The referee's starting whistle was still reverberating around the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium when Hasan Ali Kaldirim whipped in a cross from the left and Sow leapt through the air to send a perfect acrobatic effort over the helpless David De Gea.
It wasn't the start Jose Mourinho and his United side would have wanted, but it's a goal that will no doubt be talked of across Istanbul for many years to come.
[Vine]
Robin van Persie Covers R. Kelly in Brilliantly Bizarre Music Video
Feb 17, 2016
Suggestions that Robin van Persie is unhappy with life in Turkey, such as this one from the Daily Telegraph, appear to be wide of the mark judging by this video of the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker covering R. Kelly in the car.
Van Persie left Old Trafford for Fenerbahce in July but has struggled to hold down a regular place, despite scoring 14 times in 32 appearances.
That doesn't seem to have dampened his spirits, however, with the Dutch striker sharing this amusing video of himself singing along to R. Kelly's "When a Woman's Fed Up."
With talent like that, he might even have a second career in the music industry to fall back on after football...
...or maybe not.
[YouTube]
Liverpool Loanee Lazar Markovic Scores Stoppage-Time Cup Winner for Fenerbahce
Jan 22, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo10d96LKdA
On-loan Fenerbahce winger Lazar Markovic scored a 91st-minute winner as the side defeated Tuzlaspor in the Turkish Cup on Thursday night.
The Serbian, who was loaned out by Premier League side Liverpool at the start of the season, skipped past his defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Liverpool paid £20 million to Benfica for Markovic in 2014, and the 21-year-old made 31 appearances for the Reds in the 2014-15 season.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who failed to score in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United, face Norwich City in the league on Saturday afternoon.
[YouTube]
Robin van Persie Scores Brace in Fenerbahce 6-1 Turkish Cup Win vs. Giresunspor
Robin van Persie was on target twice on Wednesday night as Fenerbahce romped to a 6-1 Turkish Cup win over Giresunspor.
His first put the home side 4-0 up within an hour, as he shifted the ball on to his left foot and fired home an unstoppable finish into the top corner.
And the former Manchester United man scored a brilliant individual second in the 82nd minute to complete the scoring.
Nani and Robin van Persie are taking the Louis van Gaal trolling to a whole new level.
On a day when Louis van Gaal stormed out of his press conference with his job security in serious question as Manchester United's form dwindles, a few castaways were showing firepower rarely seen at Old Trafford this season.
Nani led things off with an absolute belter for Fenerbahce.
Nani to Fenerbahce: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More
Jul 6, 2015
Manchester United's Nani prepares to take a corner during his team's English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Wednesday Dec. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The winger has signed a three-year deal with the Turkish Super Lig outfit, with the club paying a €6 million (£4.2 million) fee for the former Sporting star, according to Goal.com.
This move brings an end to his Red Devils career, which showed so much promise early before fading in the latter years.
The 28-year-old signed a new deal with the Mancunians in 2013, but when former manager David Moyes was sacked, it quickly became clear the Portugal international's time at the club was all but over.
Louis van Gaal had no plans for Nani in his squad, and he ended up spending the 2014-15 campaign out on loan with Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Back with his old club, he showed flashes of the potential witnessed when he first joined United, scoring four goals in five Champions League matches, per WhoScored.com. Following a solid campaign for Sporting, there was always going to be interest from other clubs in the summer. Sky Sports reported Fenerbahce were the first club to approach the winger.
Indeed, as Nani arrived in Turkey to finalise his transfer, it was clear the club's fanatical supporters were delighted to have him, per Sky Sports News HQ:
Nani joined the Red Devils in 2007 and quickly established himself as a budding star, exciting the fans with his flair, dribbling skills and direct approach.
He took on more responsibility when Cristiano Ronaldo left the club for Real Madrid in 2009 and put together several memorable performances―running riot against Manchester City and Arsenal in 2010-11, for example, a campaign that ended with a spot in the Team of the Year―but somewhere along the way, he stopped growing as a player.
Injuries and inconsistency marred his final years with the club, and new manager Van Gaal never had any plans for Nani, electing to invest heavily in Angel Di Maria instead. Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst urged fans to remember his early years at the club with joy, however:
He cried at Anfield and bottled it at City but Nani deserves to be fondly remembered by United fans http://t.co/QwxqegOwTU#mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 3, 2015
According to Sky Sports, Nani won four Premier League titles and a Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
Nani's United story is one of unfulfilled promise, but the player showed enough during his one-year loan spell with Sporting to suggest he's far from finished.
Perhaps a move away from the high-pressure situation at United will see him blossom, and while he'll never become the world-class winger we once thought he would be, he could still have a wonderful career.
Fenerbahce could be the platform the Portuguese needs, too. They're a club that are regularly involved in European football's top competitions, and Nani's untamed ingenuity will ensure he continues to catch the eye in the iconic colours of the Turkish giants.
