Statement from the stadium bully who forced a child to take off his Fenerbahçe jersey
Şenel Akdemir, who was released under house arrest following the incident in the Gençlerbirliği stands, claimed he warned the child and his father to protect them.
12punto
A new statement has emerged regarding the incident that made headlines during the Gençlerbirliği-Fenerbahçe match played in the first week of the Trendyol Süper Lig, where a 4-year-old Fenerbahçe fan watching the match with his father in the home team's stands was forced to remove his jersey.
Gençlerbirliği fan Şenel Akdemir, who was investigated following the incident and released under house arrest with judicial control after being detained, stated that he had no physical contact with the child or his father.
The events that took place during the match held at Eryaman Stadium on Saturday, August 15, drew backlash on social media, and the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the incident. Akdemir argued that he only issued a warning in the stands and that his intention was not to escalate the tension.
— Uğur Kilic (@ugur06new) August 17, 2026
AKDEMİR: I WARNED THEM TO PROTECT THEM
Akdemir stated that he was told there were Fenerbahçe fans in the stands, and after seeing the father and son, he told the father, “Either leave or take off the jersey.” Expressing that he had no other conversation or contact, Akdemir said that the police also took the child from where he was to prevent tension.
Explaining that he met the child's father at the police station, Akdemir stated that he asked for the father's forgiveness. Saying that he had to raise his voice due to the loud noise and tension in the stands, Akdemir said, “I did not have the slightest contact with the child. Even if I did, the police are there, they would intervene.”
Akdemir expressed that he could understand the reaction of those watching the footage of the incident from the outside, stating, “If I saw that video from the outside, I would show the same reaction. But nothing is as it seems.”
According to his own account, Akdemir stated that he was trying to calm some reactions in the stands and argued that one should not enter the opposing team's stands with a rival team's jersey. Akdemir said, “I did this to protect both the child and his father.”
Stating that the family did not file a complaint, Akdemir expressed his sadness if any hurt feelings were caused by what happened. “If their hearts were broken, if they were hurt by this, they are welcome,” said Akdemir, adding that he wanted to give a gift to the young fan.