Fans warned after Turkey riot

Monday 6 December 2010

Fans warned after Turkey riot

David Martin, Rangers’ head of security, has appealed to the club’s fans to be vigilant after a riot between fans of Champions League opponents Bursaspor and rivals Besiktas resulted in four people being taken to hospital.

Thousands of Besiktas fans were reported to have thrown rocks and bottles in an attempt to break through a police cordon and attack more than 1,200 visiting supporters during the Istanbul club’s 1-0 win at the Inonu Stadium yesterday.

Three people suffered knife injuries as a result of the disruption as police were forced to use batons and tear gas to break up the skirmishes outside the ground. And with many Scots expected to be staying in the Turkish capital before travelling to tomorrow’s match, Martin has said the Ibrox club will take the weekend’s events into account when putting last-minute safety measures in place. “We are meeting with the match delegation this morning to discuss our preparations for the game,” said Martin. “If there have been incidents over the weekend we will look at it and see if it will impact on our own arrangements. “We would urge all Rangers fan travelling to Turkey to be vigilant as their safety is our main concern.” The feud between the two sets of supports goes back to 2003, with Bursaspor fans blaming Besiktas for their side’s relegation to the second division after the Istanbul club played badly against another team facing possible relegation, condemning their rivals to the drop. Since then, encounters between the fans have often led to violence. Filip Holosko’s 65th minute strike left the reigning Turkish champions five points behind Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig.

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