Fanaticism is one of our country’s most serious problems. We’ve reached a point where we’re exposed to fanaticism in every aspect of our lives. We encounter people’s reckless behavior on the way to work, during our morning jog, on vacation, on public transport, in the park, and even in environments where we should be most relaxed. This is particularly evident at soccer games, where people go to unwind and curse words are uttered profusely.
I’ve witnessed this many times. Even the most level-headed and decent people can lose themselves in the atmosphere of a match and transform into something else entirely. This includes women. I witnessed firsthand how a stylishly dressed and educated woman, clearly sitting in a box, lost her temper and uttered a powerful curse.
Amidst all this fanaticism and excess, there are sometimes moments that make you think, “Oh no, this is too much.” Such moments occurred during the Fenerbahçe-Dynamo Kyiv match last night. Let me state right up front: my readers know I’m a Galatasaray fan. Please don’t degrade this article into the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray rivalry. If it were a Galatasaray fan, I would write the same article. The real problem here is mindless fanaticism, and I believe it’s one of the most serious issues in this country.
The cheers and comments following the goal
First, let’s remember what happened on the evening of July 27th. I’m sharing a video of Fenerbahçe fans chanting Putin during the Dynamo Kyiv match:
I’m also sharing the news about this outrageous chant against Dynamo Kyiv: https://www.sozcu.com.tr/spor/futbol/fenerbahce-dinamo-kiev-macinda-vladimir-putin-tezahurati-7273889/?utm_source=ilgili_haber&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=ilgilihaber
This news article summarizes this: Dynamo Kyiv took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute with Vitaliy Buyalskyi’s goal against Fenerbahçe. While the Yellow Canaries fans were shocked by the goal, they were angered by the opposing player’s provocative goal celebration! Chants of “Vladimir Putin” rang out from the Fenerbahçe stands.
Let’s put aside the term “provocative goal celebration” in this article. Now, let’s look at the statement made by Uğur Dündar, a prominent representative of the magnificent Turkish press, a long-time journalist, and a die-hard Fenerbahçe fan, regarding the incident that took place during the Dynamo Kyiv match: https://www.sozcu.com.tr/spor/futbol/ugur-dundardan-putin-tezahurati-aciklamasi-7274825/?utm_source=anasayfa&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=alt_surmanset
Statements by Uğur Dündar and Fenerbahçe
According to this report, Uğur Dündar comments on the events as follows: The chants of “Vladimir Putin” are, of course, ugly and unacceptable. However, the attempt to attribute the momentary reaction of one group to the entire fan base and the community is just as ugly as that chant!..”
Here, too, “grandmaster” Uğur Dündar, whose fanatical Fenerbahçe supportership outweighs his objective journalism, says, “The attempt to attribute the momentary reaction of one group to the entire fan base and the community is just as ugly as that chant!” Let’s put that comment aside.
Now, let’s move on to Fenerbahçe Sports Club’s statement regarding the incident: https://mobile.twitter.com/Fenerbahce/status/1552651808031457280/photo/1
I’m sharing the most crucial part of Fenerbahçe’s statement below:
“In the 58th minute of yesterday’s match, the exaggerated behavior of some of the opposing team’s players, especially their substitute goalkeeper who previously played for a team in our country, after a goal, caused a section of the stands to escalate into outrage and caused a reaction that lasted only 20 seconds out of a 120-minute match.
Whatever the reason, as Fenerbahçe Sports Club, we absolutely do not accept the reaction that arose from a section of our stands.
It is not fair and equitable to attribute this statement, which does not represent our club’s stance and values, to all our fans and to attribute responsibility to our club.
At this point, we have reached; We condemn the allegations leveled against both our country and our club over this issue, the attempts to create a misunderstanding, and the linking of the issue to politics.
Two notes and statements from Ukraine
Let’s also set aside two sentences from this statement:
1) “The exaggerated behavior displayed by some players of the opposing team, especially the substitute goalkeeper who previously played for a team in our country, after a goal in the 58th minute of yesterday’s match, provoked a section of the stands into a rage and caused a reaction that lasted only 20 seconds out of a 120-minute match.”
2) “It is not fair and equitable to attribute this statement, which does not represent our club’s stance and values, to all our fans and to attribute responsibility to our club.”
Now let’s move on to the Ukrainian front. I’m sharing the relevant news: https://www.sozcu.com.tr/spor/futbol/ukrayna-cephesinden-gundem-yaratan-putin-tezahuratlari-icin-aciklama-7274965/
This news reads: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko condemned Fenerbahçe fans in a social media post, saying, “Ukraine defeated Vladimir Putin 2-1 on the Turkish soccer field. “They suffered a blow in Turkey, and they will suffer a blow in Ukraine as well. We advise Turkish fans to side with the winner,” he said.
This statement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs personally embarrassed me as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey.
Lucescu: I didn’t expect this, what a shame!
Mircae Lucescu, a former manager of Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and the Turkish National Team, and well-known to Turkish football fans, was coaching Dynamo Kyiv against Fenerbahçe in this match. The accomplished coach, Mircea Lucescu, did not attend the post-match press conference to express his reaction to the events, but rather made a statement to the broadcaster:https://www.sozcu.com.tr/spor/futbol/mircea-lucescudan-fenerbahce-taraftarina-tepki-7274047/?utm_source=anasayfa_spor&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=anasayfa_spor_zone_4
Veteran manager Lucescu reacted to Fenerbahçe fans by saying, “Everything was according to plan, it worked, and we won. But we didn’t take the fans into account. I didn’t expect such cheers. What a shame.”
I’d like to remind you that these comments come from someone who has achieved significant success in Turkey, led both Galatasaray and Beşiktaş to championships, coached the Turkish National Soccer Team, and has achieved significant international successes in his career, including the UEFA Cup and the Super Cup, and who loves the Turks.
Possible UEFA Penalty
A UEFA penalty is also looming on the horizon due to these grave incidents: https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cg371r48n7xo?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%F0%9F%92%8A+Rem+u%C3%A7u%C5%9Fu
UEFA announced that a disciplinary investigation has been launched due to the “inappropriate behavior” displayed by Fenerbahçe fans during the Fenerbahçe-Dynamo Kyiv match. The statement on UEFA’s official website reads as follows: “In accordance with Article 31 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, the UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee will conduct a disciplinary investigation into the “inappropriate behavior” of Fenerbahçe fans during the Fenerbahçe-Dynamo Kyiv match played in Istanbul on 27 July 2022, during the 2nd qualifying round of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League.” https://www.milliyet.com.tr/skorer/fenerbahceyi-bekleyen-putin-tehlikesi-iste-uefanin-izleyecegi-yol-6798429
As you can imagine, there’s the opposite reaction in Russia. I’d like to share a video showing that Russian fans are particularly vocal about Fenerbahçe’s behavior and that Russian soccer fans support Fenerbahçe:
Finally, let me remind you that the world press has labeled this incident as “shameful” and “scandalous”: https://halktv.com.tr/spor/vladimir-putin-tezahurati-dunya-basininda-utanc-verici-686074h
Determinations and Solutions
Now, let’s get to the heart of this incident, which tarnishes Turkish soccer, and how we can alleviate this shame:
1) The essence of the matter (I agree with and share this opinion I saw on Twitter): Does the fact that the incident has a cause make the action legitimate? For example, how reasonable would it be if I killed someone because they cursed me, and then said, “I wouldn’t have killed them if they hadn’t cursed”? Would that justify my action?
2) Considering the celebration as provocation: I urge those who defend Fenerbahçe on social media and elsewhere, claiming that these incidents erupted because the player provoked us, to rewatch the match highlights at the link below and reassess whether it’s normal for Buyalskyi’s celebration after scoring the goal to spark such chants.
I’m even sharing a video of a Dynamo Kyiv player celebrating below, so you can clearly see it:
What if the opposite had happened to us?
To those who still don’t understand the gravity of the situation, so that they can empathize? Let me give you an example: You’re a soccer player. Your close relative (say, your older brother) is killed by the PKK during a conflict in Southeastern Anatolia. You go to a match in Ukraine, score a goal, and display your unique celebration. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian fans chant “Abdullah Öcalan” after your goal because you’re celebrating… I wonder if I understand you well enough? What kind of mindset is this?
3) The “fan press” problem: It’s clear that there’s no such thing as an impartial press or objective journalism in Turkey. However, the press is all about fandom. Objective journalism, without exception, is almost nonexistent. Everyone, especially the Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Beşiktaş media, has a team. The typical reflexes of this biased media are to constantly glorify their teams, write news that will appeal to fans and boost the newspaper’s ratings, and when something goes against their team, they selflessly protect their team and make a supreme effort to cover up the incidents. When you consider the universal values of the press, it goes without saying that the level of the sports press in Turkey is already at a low ebb. And of course, I’m not even counting the fake news stories written every day to fill at least three or four pages. “Master journalist” Uğur Dündar’s statement that “the attempt to attribute the instantaneous reaction of one group to the entire fan base and the community is as repulsive as that chant!” clearly demonstrates the current state of the Turkish press. It’s important to remind Uğur Dündar that the number he described as a group of fans reached tens of thousands. Those who want to debate the issue of numbers can watch the video of the chants over and over again. You can clearly see the numbers reaching tens of thousands; there’s a serious mass chant going on. Still disagree? Then watch the statement about the incident by Batu Korkürk, a new generation journalist whom I personally admire, who originally shared this video and is one of the few who strive for objective journalism despite being a Fenerbahçe fan:
I think it’s high time Uğur Dündar retired, and it’s long past time. Instead of blindly fanatical “journalists” like Uğur Dündar, we want a new generation of brilliant journalists like Batu Korkürk, whom, unlike those like Uğur Dündar, are capable of telling the truth at all costs and engaging in self-criticism. And that’s exactly how it should be.
4) Fenerbahçe’s unfortunate statement: Fenerbahçe Sports Club didn’t disappoint expectations with its statement following this grave incident. Defending wrongdoing at all costs is, unfortunately, a uniquely Turkish behavior. Fenerbahçe Sports Club’s stooping to the level of fanatical fans, claiming this incident stemmed from provocative post-goal celebrations and attempting to establish a cause-and-effect relationship, clearly demonstrates the club’s poor management.
Furthermore, they reduced the incident to a 20-second chant (according to Batu Korkürk, the incident lasted approximately 30 seconds. What’s even more alarming is that these 10,000-20,000 fans became enraged and chanted “Vladimir Putin” with such fervor. I also find their statement, “It is not fair and equitable to attribute this rhetoric, which does not represent our club’s stance and values, to all our fans and to attribute responsibility to our club,” amusing. The club professionals who wrote this statement (and the managers who directed them) need to ask this: Which soccer fan should we attribute this chant to, and which club should we attribute responsibility to? Fatih Karagümrük? Başakşehir? İstanbulspor? You choose, and we’ll hold them accountable for you. Jokes aside, I think this statement is a complete fiasco.
What Should Be Done?
Fenerbahçe Sports Club should have done two things after this incident:
a) They should have issued a statement along the lines of, “This incident is absolutely wrong. We do not condone it, in fact, we condemn it. We apologize to all Ukrainian citizens who were hurt, and we wish Dynamo Kyiv the best of luck in their games.”
b) They should have identified each and every spectator who made this chant (and this technology exists) and given them a lifetime ban from entering the stadium. In my opinion, fanatics so insensitive as to have lost all sense of humanity have no place in soccer stadiums. They need to be replaced by fans who have ethical rules and boundaries, who will not swear, and who will contribute to the spread of a positive culture.
If Fenerbahçe had done this, they would have convinced everyone that they institutionally did not support this incident and that their official statements were sincere. They might even have received praise. Now, perhaps there will be a penalty from UEFA.
5) The blindness created by fanaticism: Meanwhile, thousands of Fenerbahçe fans are not indifferent to the outpourings of affection shown by Russian fanatics in response to this incident. A quick look at social media shows that, unfortunately, the number of Fenerbahçe fans who are trying to justify this shameful act and defending the actions is greater than the number of Fenerbahçe fans who are criticizing it. In our country, where fanaticism is at its peak (this applies to all teams), it is necessary to declare in all media and social media channels that what is being done is wrong, identify those who persist in fanaticism, and initiate legal action against them. One of the actions that can be taken is to ban these people from the stadium and, for those who go too far (those who make inhumane and violent comments), initiate criminal proceedings.
I hope this incident will be a start to fix what’s going wrong. As I said at the beginning of the article, what I’m talking about here applies not just to Fenerbahçe, but to all soccer clubs. I offer the above advice to all sports clubs.
We all have the right to live in a society where empathy and tolerance thrive instead of fanatical behavior for a more livable world. Everyone living on this land is the most important thing, especially those who govern the country. I hope we can leave a more livable world for future generations.
Note:
- Ali Koç’s “I don’t apologize” statement: After I wrote this article, Ali Koç’s statement regarding these offensive chants came out: Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç lashed out – Breaking sports news – Sözcü (sozcu.com.tr). Here’s the video of his speech:
There’s nothing palatable about Ali Koç’s unfortunate speech. He’s protecting and protecting the fans who are chanting in a completely inhumane manner, and he criticizes the justified criticism with his classic overtones. And his “just 20 seconds” rhetoric is also absurd. Is 20 seconds too short (as you can see from the video above that it’s at least 30 seconds)? Let’s say it was 20 seconds, as you insist on using the wrong figure, and imagine at least 10,000 people passionately chanting every 20 seconds. Is the resulting scene befitting the Fenerbahçe community? Don’t hide behind absurd excuses. What matters is not the duration of the chants, but the fact that the large crowds stooped to these pronouncements, so clearly visible to everyone, and that the Fenerbahçe president is doing everything in his power to protect those who perpetrated this outrageous act.
Especially the question, “Will you apologize to Ukraine?” His statement, “We will not say no. We will explain why we won’t. After the Ukrainian Ambassador’s impertinent statements, they should apologize to us. You were probably not at the match. You must have been influenced by the social media activities of rival fans who harass every aspect of our media coverage. Coming here and demanding that we apologize to Ukraine is an insult to Fenerbahçe Sports Club,” demonstrates his state of mind and the extent of his fanaticism. He has lost control of himself. With these statements, he is causing great harm to Koç Holding, Fenerbahçe, and most importantly, Turkey. Like all dirty politicians, he is trying to choose his own side and divide them to gain the upper hand, even though he knows he’s done wrong.
I don’t think Ali Koç is on the right track. His statements constitute a crime. Under normal circumstances, prosecutors should take action and the federation should impose strong sanctions on Ali Koç, the fans who chanted these chants, and Fenerbahçe Sports Club. But Ali Koç continues to act as if the law of the jungle applies in Turkey and speaks in an overly harsh tone. His approach is exactly as follows. We are 20 million fans. We are Turkey’s strongest civil society organization (which is also false). We are strong, no one can interfere with us, we do what we want, and we will not apologize to anyone.
Not only have they caused significant damage by tarnishing Turkey’s image due to imprudent administrators, but they could also receive a serious penalty from UEFA and reinforce this bad image. I believe it’s high time Ali Koç left these matters. He needs to resign before he harms his family, Koç Holding, Fenerbahçe, and Turkey any further. He doesn’t need to wait around and say, “We’ll be champions this year.” Fenerbahçe doesn’t need him. Ali Koç, those who think like him, and all other fanatics prioritize the value of becoming champions and appointing stars, and they can achieve it without him.
Besides, there are far more important things in life than championships, tournaments, or sporting events. What truly matters are human values. It’s the ability to live a peaceful, serene, and beautiful life.
- UEFA’s penalty against Fenerbahçe: The expected happened, and after I wrote this article, the UEFA Disciplinary Board issued a statement: “In accordance with Article 31 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, the UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee will conduct a disciplinary investigation into the ‘inappropriate behavior’ of Fenerbahçe fans at the Fenerbahçe – Dynamo Kyiv match played in Istanbul on 27 July 2022, in the 2nd qualifying round of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League.” The penalty was imposed on Fenerbahçe by UEFA. Accordingly,
“Fenerbahçe will be warned for its inappropriate behavior.
“At the next UEFA club competition match in which Fenerbahçe Sports Club plays as the host club, a stand with at least 5,000 seats will be closed.
“Furthermore, a fine of €50,000 will be imposed.
“The reason for the penalty is the throwing of objects and the use of offensive and provocative chants.” Partial stadium closures are subject to a two-year trial period.
UEFA announced the penalty imposed on Fenerbahçe for the incidents that occurred during the Dynamo Kyiv match. You can read the details in the news article at the UEFA, Fenerbahçe’ye Dinamo Kiev maçında yaşanan olaylar nedeniyle verdiği cezayı açıkladı | Goal.com Türkçe link.
- The reaction to my article: Frankly, I expected to see backlash from fanatics after writing this article. Aside from one comment, there wasn’t any reaction. I think there are a lot of Fenerbahçe fans who feel ashamed of their actions and can self-criticize, which is a good development.
However, we must not allow some fanatics, who exist on every team, to incite and mislead the nation. Below, I share my LinkedIn conversation with an educated fan who speaks a foreign language but hasn’t been able to break free from fanaticism. One of Turkey’s biggest problems is our so-called educated people, who lack human values and are prone to all sorts of extremism.
Tag: education
