Man Accused of Removing 4-Year-Old's Jersey at Eryaman Stadium Placed Under Home Confinement

The Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into suspect Ş.A. following an incident involving a 4-year-old child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey in the stands during a Gençlerbirliği–Fenerbahçe match played at Eryaman Stadium on August 15. The investigation centres on violations of the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports and charges of unlawful deprivation of the child's liberty.

According to Anadolu Agency, acting on the Chief Prosecutor's request, the magistrate's court issued a judicial control order requiring Ş.A. to remain at his residence for the duration of the investigation.

Following the Prosecutor's office team's examination of footage circulated on social media, it was determined that the on-duty police officer had picked the child up and carried him to a safe area, and that there was no physical contact with the child by the suspect. Nevertheless, Ş.A., who had reacted to the child from the stands and demanded the removal of his jersey, was taken into custody by police.

Gençlerbirliği condemned the behaviour in a statement following the incident, calling it unworthy of the club's 103-year history, and stated: 'A child wearing a rival team's jersey is, first and foremost, our child.' Gençlerbirliği had won their first top-flight match of the season 2–1; the stadium incident, however, generated far more attention than the result.