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Female athletes were attacked: Statement from the Bingöl Governor's Office regarding the incident-filled handball match

The Bingöl Governor's Office has denied reports that male fans attacked the Şanlıurfa Güneşin Çocukları team, who were celebrating their victory after a match against Bingöl Spor Lisesi.

İHA

Following the match between Bingöl Spor Lisesi and the Şanlıurfa Güneşin Çocukları Women's Handball Team in the Turkish Women's Handball 2nd League Group G, the female athletes, who were celebrating their victory, were attacked by a group of approximately 100 male fans supporting the Bingöl team.

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In a statement regarding the incident, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Bak said, “There is no place for violence in sports arenas! I condemn the ugly attack on our Şanlıurfa Güneşin Çocukları Women's Handball Team in Bingöl. We will closely follow the process to ensure that those responsible for this grave incident are punished. We will not allow any attack to overshadow the friendship, brotherhood, and unifying power of sports.”

 

The Bingöl Governor's Office also issued a statement regarding the incident, which has become a major topic of discussion. The Governor's Office denied the allegations in question.

 

The full statement from the Bingöl Governor's Office is as follows:

“A statement has been deemed necessary by our Governor's Office following reports and posts on some social media platforms and news sites claiming that 'male fans in Bingöl assaulted female handball players because they were celebrating their victory.' The Handball Women's 2nd League match played in our province on January 11, 2024, at 13:00 between Bingöl Spor Lisesi Sports Club and Şanlıurfa Güneşin Çocukları Sports Club ended in a 27-27 draw, and since this result favored the away team, they advanced to the Play-Offs.

The tension that occurred between the athletes of the two teams at the end of the match turned into physical contact in a short time, and the incidents, which some spectators also wanted to intervene in, were brought under control in a short time with the timely intervention of law enforcement and the contributions of sensible parents. Looking at the camera recordings, it has been determined that there were only about 100 people in the hall, including athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and spectators; therefore, the reports in the media that a group of 100 men jumped from the stands and attacked the female athletes do not reflect the truth. It was determined that a group of 5-10 people jumped from the stands to participate in the incident, and the actual brawl took place between a group of approximately 30 people consisting of athletes and technical staff from both teams.

The developments have been recorded in a report by the Handball Federation officials and the observer. After the incidents, some athletes and technical staff from both teams received assault reports and filed complaints against each other, so the incident has been referred to the prosecutor's office, and the ongoing judicial investigation into the incident is being followed meticulously by our Governor's Office.

Furthermore, necessary disciplinary and criminal proceedings will be carried out against those responsible. From the moment they arrived in our province, our guest athletes and coaches have been shown the necessary hospitality for all their needs by our Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports.

We are deeply saddened that our province, known for its hospitality and for being a city of peace, is being associated with such an unpleasant event. As the Bingöl Governor's Office, we will never allow any attack to overshadow the unifying power and spirit of sports on the path to peace, friendship, and brotherhood.”