Sport

WATCH: Violence at match in Turkey

Voice Sports Team|Published

Attack: Trabzonspor fans invade. Pictures: REUTERS/Depo pictures

Fifa president Gianni Infantino on Monday condemned as “absolutely unacceptable” the attacks by Trabzonspor fans on Fenerbahce players following Sunday’s Super Lig match.

The attacks took place as fans invaded the pitch after the Fenerbahce players and coaching staff celebrated their 3-2 win in Trabzon.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was punched in the face as fans mauled onto the turf.

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

The Turkish Interior Minister announced a dozen people had been arrested for the incidents on the pitch and five who incited violence via social media had also been taken in.

Infantino posted a strongly-worded reaction on Instagram to the latest violent incident to affect Turkish football.

He wrote: “The violence witnessed after the Turkish Super Lig match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce is absolutely unacceptable — on or off the field, it has no place in our sport or society.

“I have said it before, and I will say it again — without exception, in football, all players have to be safe and secure to play the game.

"I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all levels and for the perpetrators of the shocking events in Trabzon to be held accountable for their actions."

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) denounced the violence, adding in a statement on Sunday "the necessary penal sanctions will be imposed on those responsible for the violence".

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Voice Sports Team

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