New Turkey Shame as Players and Coaches of a Volleyball Team are 'ATTACKED by Fans with Bottles

2023-12-14 4

Turkey has suffered its latest sporting shame after a team of volleyball players were attacked by spectators.

It comes just days after disgraceful scenes during a Turkish football match, where referee Halil Umut Meler was punched by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, before others laid into him with a series of kicks as he was curled up on the ground.

A video which has been posted on social media shows commotion in the stands of a match between Nicer Hotel Volleybal and home side Imamoglu Belediye, which was held in the city of Adana.

One player is seen shouting out in agony, with the video later showing blood pouring down from a cut on her leg as she appeared to be in some distress and was comforted by a team-mate.

Dutch publication De Telegraaf reported that the players of Nicer Hotel Volleybal were attacked during and after the match, with the chairman of the team claiming that a largely male crowd threw glass and plastic bottles at players and coaches.

The woman who suffered a cut to her leg was pictured in an ambulance following the chaos and required five stitches.

As reported by Firstpost, Mesut Karabulut, the club's president said: 'They (the spectators) said unspeakable words to our players and our coaches.

'It was an abnormal crowd, mainly consisting of men throwing glass and plastic bottles at our team.

'At the end of the match, the stands weren't emptied and our athletes weren't allowed to go to the locker room.

'Glass cups and bottles were thrown onto the court and some tried to get onto the court to beat our athletes.'

Firstpost also claimed that several players posted photos on social media of bruises on their legs and arms.

The club based in the city of Malatya - which was badly hit by an earthquake at the start of the year - has filed a complaint against Imamoglu Belediye and its supporters.

Meanwhile, the Turkish referee who was punched by a team's president during a Turkish Super Lig match has spoken for the first time since it happened.

The 37-year-old, who had spent three days in hospital following the incident, confirmed that 'there was no problem with his health' before commenting on whether he would continue to officiate.

Meler, who suffered facial fractures, said: 'They called me from UEFA. I will explain these issues later.

'There is no situation at the moment, everything is possible. I just want to go home and rest.'

The attack on Meler took place during MKE Ankaragucu's 1-1 draw against Caykur Rizespor in the top flight.