October 2 – A dangerous dressing room incursion marred the Turkish Second League (third tier) match between Vanspor and Zonguldak Kömürspor. Vanspor, who are league leaders, won in dramatic fashion 1-0 with a goal in extra time.
After the final whistle, the president of Vanspor, Feyat Kıyak, together with his bodyguards, broke into the dressing room of the visitors from Zonguldak Kömürspor and confronted players.
A fire arm was reportedly visible amongst the intruders.
According to an announcement made by Zonguldak Kömürspor, the team’s goalkeeper has been injured and has a suspected broken rib. He was escorted to the nearest hospital for medical attention
The Zonguldak Kömürspor team was unable to leave the stadium immediately as the facility’s exits were blocked. The police had to intervene to allow the bus with the players to leave.
Hours after the news broke in Turkey, Vanspor rejected the accusations.
“At the end of the Vanspor match played on 01/10/2023, the Vanspor club president came to the dressing room with his guards and one or two managers and started swearing at the players. The events continued in the dressing room and corridors. At the end of the events, our goalkeeper fell to the ground due to the kicks he received. He was later taken to the hospital via 112. Even though the people who caused the events are known, it is significant that the police cooperate with these people after the incident. The police chief’s attitude as if nothing had happened is also unpleasant,” said the Zonguldak Kömürspor press officer.
“Our life safety was ensured as a result of our Minister of Sports calling the Governor. A gun going off in that locker room would cause shame for our country all over the world. Everyone knows that it is forbidden to enter sports fields with weapons. We made our applications at the highest level regarding those who were negligent. We would like to thank all our friends who called and wished us a speedy recovery. I would also like to thank our Zonguldak Mayor Ömer Selim Alan and AK Party Zonguldak Provincial Chairman Mustafa Çağlayan.”
The mayor of Zonguldak, Omer Salim Alam, said: “I regretfully condemn the attack that occurred in the dressing room of our common love, our national team Zonguldak Kömürspor after the away match of Vanspor football club. The sport is friendship and brotherhood. I invite the entire football community to have common sense so that such events do not happen again.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1731714920labto1731714920ofdlr1731714920owedi1731714920sni@o1731714920fni1731714920