Türkiye: Trabzonspor Fans Invade Pitch, Attack Fenerbahce Players

Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Türkiye, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)

Turkish top tier club Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch following a home loss against Fenerbahce late Sunday, touching off violent scuffles between the fans and visiting players.
The Trabzonspor fans charged onto the pitch as Fenerbahce players celebrated their 3-2 win following the final whistle of the Turkish Superlig game in the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon.
Some Fenerbahce players hit back at fans who kicked or punched them, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Security staff later helped the Fenerbahce players down the tunnel into the dressing room, The Associated Press said.
The incident came just months after the president of top-flight club Ankaragucu was arrested for punching a referee following a match, prompting the Turkish Football Federation to briefly suspend league games.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that an investigation has been launched and that those who invaded the pitch would be identified.
“The occurrence of violence on football fields is not acceptable,” he wrote.
The Turkish Football Federation also condemned the incident and said those responsible would be punished following an investigation.