Soccer-Fenerbahce to consider withdrawing from Super Lig after players attacked

Soccer Football – Super Lig – Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce – Papara Park, Trabzon, Turkey – March 17, 2024 A Trabzonspor fan invades the pitch and clashes with Fenerbahce players and security staff after the match. REUTERS/Depo Photos

(Reuters) – Fenerbahce will consider withdrawing from the Turkish top flight after some of their players were attacked by Trabzonspor fans following their weekend away win, the Super Lig club said on Monday.

Soccer Football – Super Lig – Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce – Papara Park, Trabzon, Turkey – March 17, 2024 Trabzonspor fans invade the pitch and clash with Fenerbahce players and security staff after the match. REUTERS/Depo Photos

Trabzonspor supporters stormed the pitch and brawled with security forces and Fenerbahce players after their team lost 3-2 on Sunday in the latest incident in a league that has been marred by controversy this season.

Soccer Football – Super Lig – Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce – Papara Park, Trabzon, Turkey – March 17, 2024 Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek holds a flare thrown by Trabzonspor fans. Fenerbahce.org/Handout via REUTERS

Fenerbahce will hold an Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on April 2, the Board of Directors decided on Monday.

The agenda points include evaluation of the actions to be taken following the incident “including the withdrawal of our football Team A from the Super Lig”, a club statement read.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incident earlier on Monday, saying violence in the Turkish Super Lig is “unacceptable”.

Fenerbahce are second in the standings on 79 points from 30 games, two points behind Galatasaray and 30 clear of third-placed Trabzonspor.

Soccer Football – Super Lig – Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce – Papara Park, Trabzon, Turkey – March 17, 2024 Trabzonspor fans invade the pitch and clash with Fenerbahce players and security staff after the match. REUTERS/Depo Photos

(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)