The girlfriend of one of the Fenerbahce players attacked by rival fans in violent scenes in Turkey on Sunday has spoken of her fears for her partner’s safety.
Trabzonspor fans stormed on to the pitch following the Super Lig clash and aimed punches and weapons at Fenerbahce stars after their team’s 3-2 defeat in shocking scenes at Papara Park in Trabzon.
Fenerbahce’s Mert Muldur, 24, was seen running from a fan wielding a corner flag, sparking concern from his girlfriend Koprena Andjela.
Writing on Instagram, Andjela said she ‘had no words’ and her ‘heart stopped for a minute’.
She later posted a picture of Muldur and a team-mate with the caption ‘thankful you are all safe’.
Fenerbahce defender Mert Muldur (right) was attacked with a corner flag by a rival fan
His girlfriend Koprena Andjela has revealed how the harrowing incident impacted her
Muldur’s girlfriend Koprena Andjela posted on Instagram in the wake of the violent scenes
An investigation has been launched into the incident, which began when a lone supporter evaded stewards and ran directly towards the celebrating stars in the centre of the pitch.
As they moved ever closer to the players without being intercepted by security, former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel was forced to fight back to protect himself.
The 26-year-old could be seen raining down punches on his would-be attacker, as his teammates and members of staff rushed to his aid.
From that point on the situation deteroriated even further as scores of fans began to make their way beyond the barricades, rushing directly onto the pitch.
Clips circulated on social media showed another supporter sprinting directly towards former Chelsea and Crystal Palace star Batshuayi.
Taking direct action the Belgian forward launched into a spinning heel kick connecting with the supporter and causing them to quickly disperse.
The potential for serious harm to have been caused during the incident was made frighteningly clear with images on social media appearing to show a supporter brandishing a weapon during the ugly scenes.
Fenerbahce’s players were then shielded by security forces as they tried to get back into the sanctum of the changing rooms.
Fenerbahce boss Ismail Kartal insisted his players were attacked and that they hadn’t provoked fans.
Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avci echoed Kartal’s thoughts and admitted the events were upsetting.
Andjela said her ‘heart stopped for a minute’ when she saw her boyfriend had been attacked
She later posted how she was ‘thankful’ the players attacked were safe after the incident
Violent scenes unfolded in Turkey after Trabzonspor fans attempted to attack Fenerbahce’s players following their Super Lig clash
The incident began with a lone supporter charging onto the pitch before former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel intervened
The violence after the game is the latest controversial incident in Turkish football this season
Meanwhile, Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya condemned the violence as he he revealed authorities had already started a probe into identifying the culprits.
Writing on X, he insisted: ‘After the Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe football match played this evening, identification efforts regarding the spectators entering the field and an investigation into the events that took place after the match were immediately launched.
‘Sports is, above all, sportsmanship. It is never acceptable for violence to occur on football fields.
‘The public will be informed about the developments.’
Tensions were already high before Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch and attacked players
It is the latest controversial incident in Turkish football this season. In December, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca physically attacked referee Halil Umut Meler in the aftermath of his side’s draw with Rizespor.
Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler suffering a minor fracture during the incident.
The match official spent more than a week in hospital following the vicious assault where he was visited by Yerlikaya before returning to his duties in January.
All Turkish leagues were suspended following the incident before being resumed following a one-week hiatus.
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