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

Ankara's Chief Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into S.A., who was found to have exerted pressure on a young child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey in the stands during the Gençlerbirliği-Fenerbahçe match played Sunday evening at Eryaman Stadium, and the suspect was taken into custody by police units.

According to a report by A Spor citing the Anadolu Agency, the investigation is being conducted under the "Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports" and charges related to "deprivation of a child of liberty." Police who examined footage circulating on social media determined that an on-duty officer carried the child in his arms and moved him to a safe area, and that there was no physical contact directed at the child.

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

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said in a social media post, "We will never allow hooliganism in the stands," and commended the officer who calmed and protected the child.

Eryaman Stadium was repeatedly subject to disciplinary investigations due to stand incidents last season; this time the investigation is being initiated directly by the Chief Prosecutor's Office.