Trabzonspor fans storm pitch, brawl after home loss to Fenerbahce

Fans of Turkey’s Trabzonspor stormed the pitch and brawled with security forces and players from visiting Fenerbahce after their team lost 3-2 on Sunday, in the latest incident in a league that has been marred by controversy this season.

Brazilian midfielder Fred scored twice to give Fenerbahce, who are second in the Super Lig, a half-time 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.

Fenerbahce’s players celebrated in the centre of the pitch after the final whistle. A supporter ran on to the field and fought with Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Video footage showed Osayi-Samuel swinging a fist towards the fan, while Batshuayi could be seen kicking out at supporters as security forces tried to intervene. Dozens more then stormed the pitch, as security forces tried to shield Fenerbahce players running off the field.

Fenerbahce’s head coach, Ismail Kartal, said his players had not provoked fans and that his team was attacked, while his opposite number, Abdullah Avci, said the events at the end were upsetting.

The interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, later said on X that authorities had launched an investigation into the brawl and to identify the fans who had stormed the pitch. “Above all, sport is gentlemanship. It is never acceptable for violence to take place on football pitches,” he said.

The incident comes after a series of other controversies in the Turkish league this season, including an attack on a referee by a club president, the postponement of a Turkish cup final in Saudi Arabia, and several protests against refereeing decisions.

( Source Reuters)