In scenes that shocked the football world, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson found himself in the line of fire as Fenerbahçe supporters launched cups and other projectiles onto the pitch before storming the field, causing the Turkish Super Cup final to be abandoned in disgrace.
Chaos Erupts in Championship Decider
The highly anticipated clash between bitter Istanbul rivals Fenerbahçe and Besiktas descended into pure chaos just minutes into the match, with Ederson becoming an unexpected target of fan fury. The Brazilian shot-stopper, who recently completed a £34 million move to the Turkish giants, was struck by plastic cups hurled from the stands as tensions boiled over.
"It was absolute madness," one eyewitness reported. "The cups were raining down from the Fenerbahçe end directly toward Ederson's goal. You could see players ducking and trying to protect themselves."
Pitch Invasion Forces Abandonment
The situation escalated dramatically when dozens of Fenerbahçe supporters breached security barriers and flooded onto the playing surface at the Sanliurfa GAP Stadium. Players from both teams were hurriedly escorted down the tunnel as officials determined the match could not continue safely.
This marked the second consecutive year that Turkish football authorities have faced embarrassment, following last season's controversial decision to award the trophy to Galatasaray without playing the final at all.
Underlying Tensions Explode
The unrest appeared to stem from deep-seated frustrations among Fenerbahçe supporters regarding the scheduling and venue selection for the prestigious fixture. Many fans had travelled significant distances to the southeastern city of Sanliurfa, only to find their complaints about the arrangements going unheeded by football authorities.
Turkish football now faces serious questions about security protocols and fan management, with this incident representing one of the most dramatic pitch invasions in recent memory involving a major European final.
The future of the competition remains uncertain as officials scramble to contain the fallout from this embarrassing episode that has once again cast a shadow over Turkish football.
