Trabzonspor fans fight with Fenerbahce players in another dark day for Turkish football

Supporters of Turkish football club Trabzonspor stormed the pitch and fought with Fenerbahce players and security forces following their team's 3-2 loss on Sunday, in the latest incident in a league that has been marred by controversy this season.

Tempers flared when a Trabzonspor fan stormed the pitch after the final whistle and began running towards the celebrating Fenerbahce players, some of whom reacted by running towards him to try and strike him. Other fans then invaded the pitch as stewards tried to restore order.

Videos showed Belgium international Michy Batshuayi kicking a fan who had entered the pitch and Nigerian international Bright Osayi-Samuel punching another supporter.

In other images circulating on social media, a fan can be seen to threaten a visiting player with a corner flag and Fenerbahce's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic receiving a punch to the face.

Dozens more then stormed the pitch, as security forces tried to shield Fenerbahce players running off the field.

Following the violent scenes, Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the opening of an investigation into the incident.

"After the Trabzonspor-Fenerbahce football match played this evening, an investigation has been initiated immediately to identify the spectators who entered the pitch and to investigate the incidents that took place at the end of the match," he wrote on X.

"Incidents of violence on football pitches are never acceptable."

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) called the events "unacceptable" and said in a statement that "the necessary criminal sanctions will be imposed on those responsible for these incidents".

Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal said his players had not provoked fans and that his team was attacked,