Arrests after Turkey match incidents Infantino deems 'unacceptable'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has named the attacks of Turkish football fans on players during a Süper Lig match "absolutely unacceptable" as a first number of suspects has been detained.

Dozens of Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch after a 3-2 home defeat against Fenerbahce on Sunday, attacking opposition players and coaching staff.

Fenerbahce players and the match officials had to be protected by security personnel and fled to the dressing rooms to escape the onrushing fans.

The match had earlier been interrupted several times because fans had thrown objects onto the pitch.

“The violence witnessed after the Turkish Süper Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe is absolutely unacceptable - on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society," Infantino said in a statement issued on Monday by the ruling body on X, formerly Twitter.

“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 which brings such joy to so many people all over the world.

“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 has announced a full investigation and legal action.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X on Monday that so far 12 people have been detained, after earlier stating that the events were not acceptable and the process of identifying the offenders has started.

Last year, referee Halil Umut Meler was attacked after a match by a club president and he was again in charge in Trabzon.

Fenerbahce are in second place in the Süper Lig, two points behind league leaders Galatasaray. Trabzonspor are 30 points behind Fenerbahce in third.