Besiktas fans may face action over rioting against Galatasaray

Besiktas football team supporters clash with riot police and security forces during the Turkish Super League soccer match between Besiktas and Galatasaray at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Sept. 22, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Rioting caused the Istanbul derby between Besiktas and Galatasaray to be abandoned. Turkish government officials have promised to take strict action.

Galatasaray were leading 2-1 during injury time when their Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo was sent off for a wild challenge. Besiktas supporters inside the Olympic Stadium lost their cool and began pouring on to the field. Some of them even began hurling plastic chairs at the police as the players scrambled to get to the safety of the dressing room.

“We will do what is required by the police department, given that there were varying aspects involved. We will try and determine if there was any pre-planning prior to the game,” Interior Minister Muammer Guler told Hurriyat Daily News. “What’s necessary will be carried out regarding every single person that was detected by security cameras.”

Galatasaray fans were missing from the stadium on Sunday night due to league regulations on derby matches and they missed out a Didier Drogba brace and a Hugo Almeida goal for the home side.

The Turkish Football Federation vice-chairman, Ufuk Ozerten said, “Federation officials will study the referee’s report and that of the match observer before deciding what sanctions to impose.” He added: “We have to learn that football is a game. When I came here and saw the crowd, I got goosebumps. Let’s turn football into a festival.”