After the incredible images of violence during Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe, it's time for the first sanctions.
Twelve people were arrested after the general brawl which broke out this Sunday after a top-of-the-table Turkish championship match in Trabzon (north).
“Twelve people identified as being involved in the incidents that occurred after the Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe match were arrested,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X (ex-Twitter).
A crowd of supporters invaded the lawn of the Trabzonspor stadium on Sunday evening at the final whistle of a match lost (2-3) by their team, while players from Fenerbahçe, one of the three big clubs in Istanbul , celebrated their victory.
“Absolutely unacceptable violence”
Supporters threatened and attacked the players and the coach of the Istanbul club, the goalkeeper of the “Canaries”, Dominik Livakovic, receiving a punch in the face during the scuffles.
“Absolutely unacceptable violence which has no place in our sport, on or off the field,” FIFA boss Gianni Infantino reacted on Instagram on Monday.
“All players must be safe to practice this sport anywhere in the world,” he insisted, “calling on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all levels and that the perpetrators of the events “Shocking people in Trabzon are held accountable for their actions.”
Also read: Isolated incident or endemic violence, is Turkish football sick?
In addition to the supporters who invaded the pitch, five people who launched calls for violence on social networks were also arrested, added the Turkish minister.
Denouncing “unacceptable” events, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Sunday that “the necessary criminal sanctions would be imposed on those responsible for these incidents”.
🚨 Trabzonspor - Fenerbahçe is now on track!
pic.twitter.com/OxR4XDpRTV
— Elis Buse Araç (@ElisBuseArac) March 17, 2024
The incidents of Sunday evening are added to the long list of violence which punctuates the history of Turkish football.
The Turkish championship was suspended for a week in December after the president of the Ankaragücü club attacked a referee at the final whistle of a first division match.