Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office Detains Fan Who Pressured Child Over Jersey in Eryaman

The Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation and police detained suspect Ş.A., who was found to have applied pressure to a small child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey in the stands during a Gençlerbirliği-Fenerbahçe match played Sunday evening at Eryaman Stadium.

According to a report by A Spor citing the Anadolu Agency, the investigation is being conducted under the "Law on Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports" and charges of "deprivation of a child's liberty." Police who reviewed footage circulating on social media determined that an assigned officer picked up the child and carried him to a safe area, and found that there was no physical contact directed at the child.

Fenerbahçe Club released a separate statement describing the incident the child experienced as "unacceptable" and invited young supporter Göktuğ Alımcı and his father Selami Alımcı to the Olympique Lyon match to be played Tuesday.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated on his social media account, "We will never allow hooliganism in the stands," and commended the officer who calmed and protected the child.

Eryaman Stadium had been the subject of repeated disciplinary investigations due to stand incidents in the previous season; this time the investigation is being initiated directly by the Chief Prosecutor's Office.