Turkish football has a long and violent history, with incidents ranging from fans burning down stadiums to knife attacks on players and referees. The chaos reached a new level during Euro 2024 when fights broke out in the stands during Turkey’s match against Georgia.
One of the most shocking incidents involved MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca punching referee Halil Umut Meler to the ground. The assault left Meler with a fractured eye socket and caused the Turkish Super Lig season to be suspended. Koca later claimed he only meant to spit at the referee, but the attack was widely condemned as barbaric.
In another horrific incident, manager Yuksel Yesilova was stabbed six times by his own brother while standing on the touchline during a match in 2010. The game was suspended so that Yesilova could receive life-saving medical attention.
Turkish football has also seen stadiums set on fire by angry fans. In 2003-04, Gaziantepspor fans set a stand on fire during a match against Fenerbahce. In 2010, Fenerbahce fans set their own ground alight after losing the league title to bitter rivals Bursapor. These incidents turned the stadiums into warzones, with clashes between fans and police.
The violence is not limited to the stands. In 2015, Fenerbahce’s team bus was targeted by a gunman who shot at the front windshield. The driver, Ufuk Kiran, was injured but managed to safely drive the bus out of danger. The Turkish Football Federation labeled the incident a terrorist attack.
Turkish fans are notorious for their aggression towards players and officials. They have been known to throw objects such as lighters, stones, and even knives onto the pitch. Assistant referee Tarik Ongun was hit by a lighter thrown from the stands during a derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in 2009.
The violence extends beyond matches and into rivalries between clubs. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray fixtures have been marred by violence for years. In 2012, after Galatasaray won the league at Fenerbahce, fans clashed on the pitch and in the stands. The rivalry between the two clubs has been described as a “derby of immense and never-ending hate.”
These incidents highlight the deep-rooted issue of violence in Turkish football. The passion and intensity of the fans can sometimes turn into dangerous and destructive behavior. Steps need to be taken to address this issue and ensure the safety of players, officials, and spectators. Otherwise, Turkish football will continue to be marred by violence and chaos.