Turkish fan violence not acceptable, says Infantino

ANKARA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Monday condemned as “absolutely unacceptable” the atacks by Trabzonspor fans on Fenerbahce players following Sunday’s Super Lig match.

The atacks took place as fans invaded the pitch ater the Fenerbahce players and coaching staff celebrated their 3-2 win in Trabzon, goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic being punched in the face.

Videos showed Belgian international Michy Batshuayi kicking a fan who had entered the pitch and Nigerian international Bright Osayi-samuel punching another supporter.

The Turkish Interior Minister announced a dozen people had been arrested for the incidents on the pitch and five who incited violence via social media had also been taken in.

Infantino posted a strongly worded reaction to the latest violent incident to affect Turkish football.

“The violence witnessed ater 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 post on Instagram.

“I have said it before, and I will say it again -- without exception, in football, all players have to be safe and secure to play the game.

“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.”

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) denounced the violence, adding in a statement on Sunday “the necessary penal sanctions will be imposed on those responsible for the violence”.

A previous incident, when the president of Ankaragucu atacked a referee at the end of a first division match, resulted in the suspension of the championship for a week.

A number of Fenerbahce trips to Trabzon in recent times have also been marred by violence.

A 2016 game against Trabzonspor was abandoned in the closing minutes ater an assistant referee was atacked by a home supporter.

The year before that the Fenerbahce team bus came under atack from a gunman en route to the airport on the way back from the neighbouring Black Sea city of Rize, leaving the driver seriously injured.

In 2014 a match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce was called off at half-time ater the Istanbul club’s players were pelted with objects thrown onto the pitch by home fans.