Search icon

Football

06th Apr 2015

Turkish league suspended for a week after gun attack on Fenerbahce

Turkish football struggling to come to terms with latest incidence of violence

Kevin McGillicuddy

Stronger action than this may be required

Players and supporters are still trying to come to terms with the shocking attack on the Fenerbahce team that took place on Saturday night.

According to various reports, the team bus was attacked by gunmen as they made their way to the airport after a 5-1 win over Caykur Rizespor. The driver of the bus was the only person seriously injured after a number of shots were aimed at the bus carrying the team and various other personnel from the club.

The club themselves have demanded action and said at a news conference today that they would not be playing in the Super Lig again until those responsible were caught

Just minutes later it was reported that the Turkish FA are suspending the league for a week. In a joint statement sports minister Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Football Federation of Turkey president Yıldırım Demirören and representatives from the various clubs announced the suspension of all football for a week.

This incident is not rivalry between Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor teams, but a serious terrorist plot. This is the end of football. Blood has been shed now. For us, it is not about postponing the league one week or more. What is important is the re-establishment of security.

The announcement comes just hours after former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt revealed his terror at the incident on Saturday night. Kuyt was injured for the game and didn’t travel but admitted in an interview with Fanatik that he was left shaken by the news of what his team-mates endured

My hands and legs are still shaking, I want to be strong for the team but I was shaken by the news, I had tears in the eyes when I found out.

H/T to Liverpool Echo

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10