Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Nigerian full-back plying his trade for Fenerbahçe, has voiced grave concerns over player safety following a violent episode involving fans during a recent clash between Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor in Turkey.
The match, which culminated in a 3-2 victory for Fenerbahçe, was marred by altercations between players and certain Trabzonspor supporters, prompting Osayi-Samuel and his teammates to defend themselves against the aggression.
In an interview with Adepoju Samuel on X after Nigeria’s match against Mali in Morocco, Osayi-Samuel shed light on the incident, emphasizing the imperative need for action to avert such occurrences in the future.
Osayi-Samuel underscored his apprehension over the apparent lack of intervention from authorities despite instances of violence, notably recounting an incident where the Fenerbahçe goalkeeper sustained injuries after being struck by an object.
He emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring player protection and urged for measures to guarantee the safety of athletes on the field, particularly in scenarios where fans resort to violence.
While acknowledging the steadfast backing from Fenerbahçe supporters, Osayi-Samuel underscored that players should not be compelled to fend off armed fans and called upon authorities to take decisive steps to forestall similar incidents.
The Super Eagles luminary highlighted the broader ramifications of player safety apprehensions, asserting that such episodes could dissuade athletes from participating in leagues where their well-being is jeopardized.
“I believe they should have halted the game. Our goalkeeper was struck by an object, resulting in him bleeding. Shortly after, there was a free kick, and they capitalized on it to score.
How can such a scenario unfold? We had to defend ourselves because the situation was chaotic,” Osayi-Samuel expressed.
“It is unacceptable in any context when it turns violent and players resort to retaliation.
The players’ reaction is justifiable because some of these fans are armed. If one of our players sustains injuries, it not only affects the clubs but the league as a whole.”
“Players would be reluctant to compete in environments where their safety is compromised and they risk harm. Instances of objects being hurled onto the pitch are prevalent, not solely in Turkey, but when it escalates, the referee must halt the game,” he reiterated.
Osayi-Samuel’s impassioned plea for enhanced player safeguarding arrives amid mounting apprehensions regarding fan violence in football, underscoring the imperative for collective endeavors to ensure the safety and welfare of players during matches.
