Trabzonspor to play 6 home games without spectators after pitch invasion by fans

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Trabzonspor, a Turkish top-tier club in football, will play their next six home games without fans after violence in a Super Lig game last month, The Turkish Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) ruled on Wednesday.

In a statement, PFDK said that it fined Trabzonspor 3 million liras ($93,923) because of violations of instructions of club executives and the reaction of fans, adding Fenerbahce players Jayden Oosterwolde and Irfan Can Egribayat have been suspended for one match due to fighting with rival team fans.

Also, Trabzonspor assistant coach Egemen Korkmaz has been handed a ban on entering the locker room and the bench in one official game due to fighting with an opposing team athlete.

Last month, Fenerbahce defeated Trabzonspor 3-2 on matchday 30, but the players' celebrations were marred by ugly scenes as many Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch at Papara Park.

As the away team players were celebrating their victory on the center circle of the Papara Park, dozens of Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch to attack them. A large number of security personnel rushed to the scene to stop the chaos.

Videos circulating online showed some Fenerbahce players such as Michy Batshuayi, Osayi-Samuel and Oosterwolde confronted the pitch invaders.

Their teammate Dominik Livakovic was punched while he was running to the tunnel.

During the match, Trabzonspor fans threw flares and various objects onto the pitch.