Violence overshadows football in Turkey

It was not game fever but violence that marked Turkish football over the weekend, with an assistant referee being attacked by a fan during a top-tier game between Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor, while executives of Amedspor were also beaten by a mob in the capital after a game against Ankaragücü.  

The Turkish Spor Toto Super League match between Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor late on April 24 was abandoned in the 89th minute after Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch and attacked assistant referee Volkan Bayarslan. 

Istanbul side Fenerbahçe, which is second in the standings, was leading 4-0 after goals by Alper Potuk, Volkan ?en, Luis Nani and Robin van Persie. 

After Trabzonspor supporters ran onto the pitch, one of them tackled Bayarslan and kicked and punched him several times until security intervened. 

A 17-year-old suspect was detained on April 25.

"The game will be ruled 4-0 in favor of Fenerbahçe," the visiting side said on Twitter. 

Fener coach Vitor Pereira was unable to dwell on the fact that his club had pulled to within three points of leader Be?ikta? with the victory, focusing instead on the violence on the pitch. 

"The worst thing about tonight is that a little girl, crying, was carried by her father out of the stands," he said after the game. 

"A father should be able to bring his children and wife to matches without any danger," he said, adding that the attackers even reached the dressing rooms. 

Trabzonspor President Muharrem Usta extended his condolences to the match official, but failed to apologize, as he said the thought the attack was an act of provocation against the Black Sea giant.

Bayarslan is no stranger to Trabzon as he graduated from the geophysical...