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An investigation has been launched, and a suspect has been detained after a young Fenerbahce fan had his jersey forcibly pulled at while watching a Super Lig match at Genclerbirligi, an incident that sparked widespread public backlash after footage of it spread on social media.
The incident took place on Aug. 15 at Eryaman Stadium in Ankara during the Super Lig season opener between Genclerbirligi and Fenerbahce, which Genclerbirligi won 2-1.
A child believed to be around 3 to 4 years old, wearing a Fenerbahce jersey, was watching the match from the Genclerbirligi home stand when several fans around him attempted to pull the jersey off.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it had opened an investigation into the incident under Türkiye's law on the prevention of violence and disorder in sports, as well as under a provision of the Turkish Penal Code concerning depriving a child of liberty. A suspect, identified by the initials S.A., was detained by police in connection with the case.
According to authorities, footage reviewed by investigators showed a police officer picking up the child and carrying him to a safe area and found no evidence of physical contact directed at the child himself.
Genclerbirligi issued a statement condemning the incident as an isolated act that it said disrespected not only the young Fenerbahce fan but also the club's own 103-year history.
The club described itself as holding a unique place in Turkish football due to its history, its hospitable supporters and the athletes it has produced.
"For us, a child wearing a rival team's jersey is, above all, our own child," the club said in its statement. Genclerbirligi said it condemned the isolated incident, shared in the sadness felt by the child and his family, and stressed that it stood behind every spectator's right to feel safe in the stands.
The club added that it intended to follow the matter closely and hoped to welcome the child to its facilities wearing his own team's jersey in the near future.
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci also commented on the incident via social media, saying that stadiums should be places where children experience the excitement of sport rather than fear.
He thanked the police officer who intervened to protect the child, describing the officer's actions as having calmly defused the situation.
"Stadiums are not places where our children should be afraid, but places where they should experience the excitement of sport," Ciftci said.
He added that authorities would never allow hooliganism in the stands and would continue to protect children's safety at matches.
The incident renewed public debate in Türkiye over rivalry between opposing fan groups at football matches, particularly when it involves children. The legal process related to the case remains ongoing.
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