Prosecutors launch probe into Fenerbahçe chairman for slapping counterpart

ISTANBUL

Istanbul prosecutors have launched a probe into Fenerbahçe chairman Aziz Yıldırım on charges of maliciously injuring a rival club’s chairman, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported 

Işık Eyigüngör, the chairman of the Near East University club, lodged a legal complaint about Yıldırım after the latter slapped Eyigüngör just before a derby match between the two clubs’ women basketball teams scheduled to take place on May 7. 

Tensions also rose during the match between the two. 

The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) has also taken the issue to its disciplinary board. 

TBF head Hidayet Türköğlu, a former NBA star, said the federation will stand firm in order to rid Turkish basketball of such incidents. 

“Those responsible for the [incidents] have been sent to our disciplinary board. A decision will be made rapidly following a detailed investigation and evaluation,” Türkoğlu said in a statement. 

Speaking after the match, Yıldırım complained that the Near East University club had filled the empty seats in its home arena with the fans of Fenerbahçe’s arch-rival Beşiktaş, ahead of a critical football match in the Turkish Super League between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe later in the day. 

“They are also trying to lure our players just before the match, making transfer bids. We want tickets for our fans but they are not selling them [to Fenerbahçe supporters],” he told the reporters after the incident.

“Instead, they filled the stadium with Beşiktaş fans. What business do Beşiktaş fans have being at a Fenerbahçe-Near East University match? This incident will not end here,” he added.