How two million Turks celebrated title win on the streets peacefully

Back in December, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca was arrested by police when he ran on to the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler following his side’s 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended all of the leagues in the country for a week as the result of a shocking incident which attracted attention and drew condemnation from around the world.

Koca, an entrepreneur and politician who was a founding member of the Justice and Development party and had served as an elected representative in parliament, subsequently resigned and was banned from football for life.

But when play resumed matters did not improve.

The day the Super Lig started up again, Istanbulspor president Ecmel Faik Sarıalioglu stormed down to the field in the second-half of his club’s meeting with Trabzonspor and withdrew their players from the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision.

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At least that game got underway. The Turkish Super Cup final between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Riyadh just 10 days later was postponed over an hour after it was scheduled to kick off due because of a disagreement between the clubs and Saudi Arabian authorities over banners honouring the father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Just when things appeared to have calmed down, it all flared up again. Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch and brawled with Fenerbahce players and security staff after their team had been beaten 3-2 at home in March.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the scenes as “absolutely unacceptable” and Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal admitted “Turkish football is now completely fed by chaos”.

So when millions of people took to the streets across the country after Galatasaray had won the Super Lig for the 24th occasion in their history eight days ago it would have been reasonable to expect trouble.

Not least in Istanbul where Besiktas and Fenerbahce both have large and passionate followings as well.

However, the days of rejoicing which followed passed off without major incident. “There were no clashes, there was no trouble, it was a celebration,” said Turkish sports writer Alp Ulagay. “There was not a heavy police presence and there were no concerns about violence. 

“I would say that 70 per cent of the population of Turkey support the three big Istanbul teams, Beskitas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. They have a huge fanbase all over the country and winning the title is always celebrated outside Istanbul, in the capital Ankara, in Ismir, in Bursa, in Antalya,

“In the Fenerbahce areas of Istanbul it is difficult for Galatasaray or Besiktas fans to celebrate because it is their stronghold. Besiktas also has their districts where it might be difficult for Fenerbahce and Galatasaray fans to celebrate. I have seen videos of cars there being kicked last weekend, but only a few.

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“There are just a few neighbourhoods like this. Istanbul is a huge city so there are plenty of other places to celebrate. It was a very peaceful celebration. It happens every season whoever wins. If Fenerbahce had won they would have on the street en masse too, all around Turkey because they are national teams, but especially in Istanbul.

“It has been a very problematic season for Turkish football. There have been clashes before league games, before derby games. Not major ones, just minor ones. But most of them happened around the pitch. Even those problems are not as bad as they once were.

“I can remember heavy clashes between fans in the 1980s and 1990s. But the policing has changed a lot, new stadiums have been built all around the country and the fans’ attitude is different. They just want to enjoy themselves.

“Sometimes fans celebrate title wins in the sea as well. Istanbul is separated by the Bosphorus. Besiktas fans get on hundreds of boats and celebrate winning the title on boats. Sometimes fans can celebrate for weeks afterwards.”

The focal point of Galatasaray’s festivities last month was their Rams Park home where there was a ceremony on Monday.

Fans lined the streets to cheer their heroes as they made their way to the stadium and more than 50,000 delirious supporters were crammed inside the ground when they arrived.

There were performances by singers Emir Can İğrek, Edis, Yusef Ozer and Zara as well as rap artist Uzi. There was a visual display by drones in the sky over the arena before every player and the head coach Okan Buruk emerged to be congratulated individually by the club president Dursun Ozbek.

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It was far removed from the unfortunate scenes of public disorder in Trongate in Glasgow last month after Celtic have clinched the cinch Premiership – or four years ago in George Square when Rangers were crowned champions. 

The vast majority of those in attendance at the unofficial and unorganised title parties have behaved and enjoyed themselves.

But fights have broken out amongst fellow fans, property has been damaged, arrests have been made, police have been assaulted, local residents have been afraid to leave their homes, businesses have been forced to close and the clear up operation afterwards has cost tens of thousands of taxpayer’s money.

Politicians have called for clubs to be punished with fines, stadium closures and even points deductions.  

There were a few unfortunate incidents in Turkey. There were clashes, for example, between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce fans in Bursa and two arrests were made. But the flashpoints were insignificant given the numbers involved nationwide. So how can an estimated two million people take to the streets without any largescale outbreaks of trouble?  

“There are less drink-related issues,” said Ulugay. “I know there are fans who drink heavily before games, but not a lot of them. In Turkey, the majority of the population is Muslim and not everyone is a drinker. Probably half to two thirds of the fans don’t drink alcohol. I think that is a game changer. That might be a bit different in Scotland.”

Indeed it might. Discussions are currently ongoing about what can be done to prevent the unrest which has blighted title celebrations in Scotland since 2021. Maybe the solution lies in football fans in this country converting to Islam and becoming teetotallers.