UPDATE - Football: Istanbul derby abandoned as violence erupts

ADDS STATEMENT FROM PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - A derby between Istanbul football giants Fenerbahce and Besiktas was abandoned by the referee Thursday after the visiting manager was injured by objects flung from the stands.

The Ziraat Turkish Cup semifinal’s second leg was held at Fenerbahce's home ground, Ulker Stadium.

In the 30th minute, Besiktas' Portuguese central defender Pepe was sent off for a harsh sliding tackle against Fenerbahce midfielder Josef de Souza.

During the derby, Besiktas left-back Caner Erkin, a former Fenerbahce regular, was booed by Fenerbahce fans when he possessed the ball.

The first half in Kadikoy ended 0-0.

At the beginning of the second half, some sections of the Fenerbahce crowd threw objects such as plastic bottles and coins at the Besiktas bench, including team manager Senol Gunes, so the game was stopped in the 57th minute by the referee for a while.

Gunes, who got hit by objects thrown to the pitch and the visitors bench, received several stitches in his head, according to the A Spor TV channel.

He was reportedly taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Besiktas players and the referees left the pitch following the incident, while Fenerbahce went to their dressing room after the match was abandoned.

Meanwhile, the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul launched a probe into the incident, according to a statement from the office early Friday.

A suspect linked to the incident was arrested after Turkish security forces viewed camera footage, the statement added.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will issue a final decision on the match.

The first leg at Besiktas' home Vodafone Park had ended 2-2. On Wednesday, Akhisarspor ousted Galatasaray and reached the final.