Galatasaray's statement on the incident-filled match: 'A scenario to disrupt social peace'
Following the match between Göztepe and Fenerbahçe in the 2nd week of the Süper Lig yesterday, which saw an attack on Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç, a statement has been released by Galatasaray. The statement included the remark, "It is no coincidence that those who beat our Stadium Operations Director nearly to death are also involved in the events that took place yesterday."
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The repercussions of the incident-filled match between Göztepe and Fenerbahçe, which ended 2-2 in the 2nd week of the Süper Lig, continue to unfold.
Göztepe executive Fatih Özkan, who attacked Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç and was placed under house arrest, stated in his testimony, "The ground was wet. I couldn't control my speed," while the TFF issued a statement wishing Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç a speedy recovery and adding, "We do not find his entry onto the pitch to be correct."
Finally, a statement regarding the match in question has come from Galatasaray.
The statement included the following remarks:
'A SCENARIO TO DISRUPT SOCIAL PEACE'
We extend our get-well wishes to both our clubs and the entire sports community due to the incidents that occurred during yesterday's Göztepe - Fenerbahçe match. This incident is a continuation of a scenario aimed at dragging Turkish football, which millions follow with passion, into chaos and disrupting social peace.
'THOSE WHO BEAT OUR STADIUM OPERATIONS DIRECTOR NEARLY TO DEATH...'
"As Galatasaray Sports Club, all of our warnings in recent times were intended to prevent these and similar events before new ones could occur. It is no coincidence that those who called for Turkish referees to be 'exposed wherever you see them' by throwing them to the fans last season, those who attempted provocations at Trabzonspor's stadium, and those who illegally entered our empty stadium after our match as if conducting a raid and beat our Stadium Operations Director nearly to death, are also involved in the events that took place yesterday. If the stakeholders of Turkish football had reacted appropriately to the aforementioned incidents at that time, perhaps these sad events would not have reached this point.
The individuals responsible for this tense football climate, which escalated to the point of punching a FIFA-badged referee on the pitch last season, and anyone who encourages or supports violence, especially on social media, must be stopped.
As Galatasaray Sports Club, we state once again that we are against all forms of violence on the pitch, and we announce to the Turkish sports public that we will work to ensure that all deterrent measures, primarily legal ones, are put into effect without delay to remove all individuals involved in violence from Turkish football."