Fenerbahce call for disciplinary action after Galatasaray derby incidents

Fenerbahce have condemned what they described as verbal and physical assaults on their players during their 2-1 defeat by Galatasaray in the Turkish league derby.

The match was played at Galatasaray’s stadium on Sunday evening in the ninth round of the Turkish league, with the home side securing victory by two goals to one.

In a statement, Fenerbahce said: “We strongly condemn the verbal and physical assaults on our players during the derby match played last night.”

The club said the incidents began with a verbal attack directed at Kerem Akturkoglu before escalating when Sirat Dogan, a member of Galatasaray’s analysis team, assaulted Matteo Guendouzi.

Fenerbahce also alleged that Galatasaray defender Abdulkerim Bardakcı pulled one of their players’ hair.

“These are unacceptable actions,” the club said. “The rivalry and tension surrounding a derby do not give anyone the right to assault our players, and what happened cannot be overlooked under the name of derby tension.

“The behaviour of members of the opposing team contributed to escalating the situation rather than calming it.”

Fenerbahce said its own conduct had been responsible at a time when Turkish football required calm, and criticised the incidents as inconsistent with the spirit of hospitality expected from the winning team.

“These actions, which do not reflect the spirit of hospitality that the winning team should demonstrate, must not go unpunished,” the statement added.

The club called for a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of everyone involved and demanded that the necessary disciplinary measures be taken against those responsible “without discrimination”.

Fenerbahce said preventing violence in Turkish football begins with ensuring that those involved are not left without punishment.

The defeat leaves Fenerbahce fifth in the Turkish league table on 16 points. They are six points behind leaders Galatasaray.