Fans Disillusioned as Football Violence Strikes Turkey Again
Turkish football faced a new setback on Sunday as champions Fenerbahce were ambushed in a gun attack as they travelled by bus following a match. It is only the latest in a series of blows for the sport in Turkey as it continues in its downward spiral of violence, scandal and cancellations.
As Turkey and the footballing world deals with the fallout from the incident, the reaction amongst fans has been mixed, owing in large part to the increasingly bitter relations between supporters of rival clubs. In addition to violence being an increasingly troubling issue, it seems that Turkish football has lost the trust of its most important element - the fans.
UEFA Awards Russia Win Over Montenegro Due to Fan Violence
UEFA has given Russia a 3-0 win over Montenegro by forfeit after crowd violence forced a European Championship qualifying match to be stopped and later abandoned.
UEFA says its disciplinary panel ordered Montenegro to play its next home qualifier in an empty stadium. The Montenegro federation was fined 50,000 euros ($54,000 US).
Fans Attack TV Crew Before Second-Tier Soccer Game
Another violent incident cast a cloud over Greek soccer on Sunday as five people were taken to hospital after a group attacked a television crew ahead of the Iraklis vs Larissa match in Greece's second-tier Football League.
The employees attacked at the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki, who suffered minor injuries according to local media reports, worked for cable channel OTE TV.
[Phantis]
Russia Keeper Hospitalized After Getting Hit With Lit Flare During Match
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was stunningly hit by a lit flare during Russia’s match against Montenegro on Friday, and the game was halted due to the incident. Akinfeev was briefly knocked unconscious after getting struck.
The match, which was a qualifier for the European Championship, was delayed briefly while Akinfeev received treatment. He was later rushed to the hospital.
Real Madrid Fans Get Fine
After missing the first few months of the season with various injuries, Daniel Sturridge appears to be once again set for a spell on the sidelines.
England manager Roy Hodgson revealed Thursday that the England medical staff has discovered that Sturridge has picked up a slight tear in his hip muscle. Sturridge’s season had previously been derailed by thigh and calf injuries that kept the striker on the sidelines for five months to start the season.
[SBI]
AEK Athens Docked Points for Fan Violence
Greek second-division side AEK Athens on Friday were deducted three points by the Greek football federation for a pitch invasion by their fans earlier this month.
The disciplinary committee of the federation also ordered AEK to play two matches behind closed doors and fined the club 17,000 euros.
Policeman Seriously Hurt After Fan Violence in Argentina
Authorities say a police officer has been seriously injured in clashes with football fans in Argentina.
The fighting led to Monday's match between Arsenal and Aldosivi being suspended before halftime. Although most of the trouble occurred outside the stadium, the referee said the match couldn't continue because of a lack of safety guarantees.
