FIFA President Gianni Infantino called on authorities to intervene during a scuffle following Fenerbahce’s 3-2 victory against Trabzonspor on Monday, describing violence in the Turkish Super Lig as “unacceptable”.
After the final whistle on Sunday, Trabzonspor supporters rushed onto the ground and attacked visiting Fenerbahce players, who retaliated by defending themselves.
It followed a slew of similarly violent episodes in the Turkish league this season, like as demonstrations against refereeing decisions and an attack on a referee by the club president.
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According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya’s Monday post on X, opens new tab, Turkish police detained 12 supporters after the incident.
With stringent security protocols in place, Fenerbahce players departed Trabzon on Sunday night via private aircraft.
“The violence witnessed after the Turkish Super Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce is absolutely unacceptable- on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society,” Infantino said in a statement.
“All players have to be safe and secure to play the game which brings such joy to so many people all over the world.”
“I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all levels and for the perpetrators of the shocking events in Trabzon to be held accountable for their actions.”
“We are going through a period that Turkish football is now completely fed by chaos, where tensions are constantly high, and where we cannot use the healing power of football,” Trabzonspor coach Abdullah Avci told reporters on Sunday.
“I don’t understand why this place is so tense. Don’t we have the right to celebrate? We need to overcome these things.
“We need to be tolerant towards each other and have common sense,” Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal told reporters.
“We are in contact with our representatives and state authorities regarding the incidents that took place during and after the match,” The Turkish Football Federation said in a statement.
“No one should have any doubt that after the investigations are completed, the necessary penal sanctions will be imposed on those responsible (for the violence) to prevent the repetition of such incidents.”