Fenerbahce player escapes after car fired at in ‘terrorist’ attack

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August 12 – A top-flight Turkish footballer has escaped unharmed after gunmen fired on his bulletproof car in Istanbul.

Fenerbahce midfielder Mehmet Topal was driving home after training when the incident occurred. A team-mate who was a passenger, Uygar Mert Zeybek, was also unhurt but possibly only because of the bulletproof windscreen, damaged pictures of which were published by the club.

The assailants escaped and while there was no immediate motive, the club had no doubt.

“This attack is an armed act of terrorism. We strongly condemn these successive attacks and expect the attacker or attackers to be caught and swiftly brought to justice,” a statement said.

In April, Turkey’s top-flight Super League was suspended for a week after the Fenerbahce team bus was targeted by a gunman as it drove to the airport following an away league match at Caykur Rizespor. On that occasion, the bus driver was wounded.

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