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Turkish club Trabzonspor ordered to play 6 games behind closed doors after fan invasion

April 3, 2024 GMT

Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Turkey, Sunday, March 17, 2024. Clashes erupted between Trabzonspor fans and Fenerbahce players after local supporters stormed in the pitch at the end of the Turkish Super Lig match. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)

ANKARA (AP) — Top-tier Trabzonspor was ordered to play six games without fans as punishment by the Turkish Soccer Federation for violent clashes on the field after a Superlig game against Fenerbahce.

The federation also fined Trabzonspor more than 3 million Turkish lira ($94,000) on Wednesday.

Turkish police detained 12 people on March 17 after the on-field clashes. Trabzonspor fans charged onto the pitch after the final whistle as Fenerbahce celebrated its 3-2 win in the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon.

Some Fenerbahce players hit back at the home fans who kicked or punched them, and video of the clashes went viral.

Two Fenerbahce players, Can Egribayat and Jayden Quinn Oosterwolde, were banned for one match.

The incident came just months after the now former president of top-flight club Ankaragucu was arrested for punching a referee following a match, prompting the federation to briefly suspend league games.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer