Manchester United supporters were left shocked on Wednesday evening after being attacked in the streets of Istanbul by Fenerbahce ultras.
Thursday night sees Erik ten Hag’s side go up against former Man United boss Jose Mourinho, who is now in charge of Turkish side Fenerbahce in the Europa League. However, a day before the game at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, United fans were greeted by Fenerbahce ultras who ‘swarmed’ them.
Footage circulating on social media appears to show an attack taking place outside the Grand Hisar Hotel, just under a kilometre away from Taksim Square – where two Leeds United supporters were stabbed to death by Galatasaray ultras back in 2000.
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Taking to social media to upload clips of the violent scenes in Istanbul, a Fenerbahce ultras group named ‘Bogaz Hooligans’ posted: “This is İSTANBUL!”
And their bio on X reads: “ALL OUR ANARCHIST FEELINGS ARE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE ENEMIES OF FENERBAHÇE.”
The video showed ultras charging towards United fans, assaulting them. One United fan told the Mail he witnessed a fellow supporter get hit by a crowbar. Another supporter told United fan website StrettyNews: “About 50 of them swarmed us (a group of five). One lad followed me down a street and pretended to help before hitting me a shot into the jaw.”
And this is not the first time violence has marred Turkish football either. Back in December last year, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch following a Turkish Super Lig game, punching official Halil Umut Meler square in the face before kicking him on the floor following a 1-1 draw between his side and Rizespor.
Then there was also the time back during the 2003/04 season where Gaziantepspor’s supporters set a stand alight during a match with Fenerbahce – something which Fenerbahce fans did themselves over half a decade later in 2010 to their own stadium when they lost to rivals Bursapor.