Police arrest 12 for pitch invasion, violence after Trabzonspor Vs. Fenerbahce match

Turkish authorities detained 12 people after supporters of Trabzonspor, a top-tier soccer club, stormed the field in the aftermath of a home defeat against Fenerbahce, sparking violent altercations between the fans and the visiting team. 

Trabzonspor supporters rushed onto the pitch as Fenerbahce players were celebrating their 3-2 victory after the Turkish Superlig match in the coastal city of Trabzon on Sunday evening. 

Several Fenerbahce players retaliated against fans who had kicked or punched them, with footage of the clashes making rounds on social media. 

Defender Bright Asayi-Samuel delivered a powerful punch to one of the intruders, knocking them to the ground, while forward Michy Batshuayi used a spinning high-kick maneuver to fend off a fan approaching him rapidly. 

Security personnel later escorted the Fenerbahce players to the locker rooms through the tunnel. 

This incident occurred shortly after the president of Ankaragucu, a top-flight club, was arrested for physically assaulting a referee post-match, leading to a brief suspension of league games by the Turkish Football Federation. 

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X, a social media platform previously known as Twitter, on Monday that law enforcement agencies had detained 12 people in connection with the violence after the match. 

Yerlikaya mentioned that among the detainees were also individuals who threw objects at Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal during the game. The minister added that an investigation was underway and that the ones responsible for the chaos will soon be held accountable.

"Violence on football fields is not tolerable," he asserted.

The Turkish Football Federation also censured the incident, promising that those found responsible would face consequences after a thorough inquiry. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino took to his Instagram account to denounce the events as "completely unacceptable," urging Turkish authorities to hold the culprits accountable. 

The clashes erupted after Batshuayi scored in the 87th minute to secure the victory, keeping Fenerbahce just two points behind Galatasaray in a closely contested league title race between the rival clubs from Istanbul.

Trabzonspor, the reigning 2022 champions, currently trails in third place in the standings. 

Source: Newsroom