Fenerbahce are reportedly threatening to withdraw from the Turkish Super League and are furious at the way they have been treated for years.
The club’s members will evaluate the matter at an extraordinary general meeting on April 2.
Their anger has been sparked after rival Trabzonspor fans attacked their players this month without any punitive measures being taken.
Michy Batshuayi and former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel fought back alongside teammates as thugs invaded the pitch, brandishing weapons and even corner flags.
“The treatment Fenerbahce is receiving is not something we can tolerate,” club president Ali Koc said.
Fenerbahce are reportedly threatening to withdraw from the Turkish Super League
Club chairman Ali Koc claims their treatment over the years can no longer be tolerated
Trabzonspor fans tried to attack Fenerbahce players after their match this month
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Even at half-time, missiles rained from the stands, leaving goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic bleeding after being hit by a coin. Edin Dzeko and Dusan Tadic were also affected.
Fenerbahçe is one of the three big clubs in Turkey, alongside Galatasaray and Besiktas.
If the vote is successful, they will forfeit the remainder of this campaign before starting over in the second tier – handing sworn enemies Galatasaray the title.
According to The AthleticsFenerbahce has grievances dating back to 2006 that are fueling their threat to withdraw from the competition.
That first complaint stems from the last match of 2005/06 against Denizlispor, a match that was disrupted by missiles from the stands and cost them the title. No corruption or plans to snub Fenerbahce were discovered.
In 2011, the club was embroiled in corruption allegations as part of the Turkish match-fixing scandal.
The club’s former president, Aziz Yildirim, was jailed for six years but was declared innocent in 2020.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) banned them from participating in the Champions League the following season and were later banned from Europe for two more campaigns, but they were cleared of all charges in 2015.
Fenerbahçe members will ‘evaluate’ the withdrawal issue at a meeting on April 2
In 2015, Fenerbahce’s team bus was shot at and their president complained of persistent abuse
Fenerbahce claimed more than £115 million in damages from UEFA and the TFF.
More than 40 lives could have been lost in 2015 when their team bus was peppered with bullets after a 5-1 win over Rizespor, leaving the driver ‘flowing with blood’ and having to be rushed to hospital.
Miraculously, the driver taking the team to Trabzon airport was able to prevent the bus from veering off a cliff and the team, including former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt, all avoided serious injuries.
Incredulous at the level of violence that was embarrassing the country’s football, all Turkish Super Lig matches were abandoned as a result. The ban lasted a week.
The ugly scenes at Trabzonspor on March 17 are the final turn of the screw.
Fenerbahce won the intense match 3-2, with Michy Batshuayi scoring the decisive goal in the closing stages after former Man United midfielder Fred had scored twice.
The feeling of hostility at the Papara Park stadium was heightened by Batshuayi’s late winner as supporters began throwing objects onto the pitch.
With three points secured, Fenerbahce’s players celebrated together in the center of the pitch before the violent scenes worsened.
The violence at Trabzonspor started when a lone supporter stormed onto the pitch before former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel intervened.
Corner flags were used as makeshift weapons against players as they tried to find shelter
With just a few minutes to go, Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi had restored Fenerbahce’s lead
The incident started when a lone supporter eluded the stewards and ran straight towards the celebrating stars in the center of the pitch.
As they moved closer to the players without being intercepted by security, former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel was forced to fight back to protect himself.
The 26-year-old could be seen throwing punches at his would-be attacker as his teammates and staff rushed to his aid.
From then on, the situation evolved even further as dozens of fans pushed their way past the barricades and rushed straight onto the pitch.
Clips circulating on social media showed another supporter sprinting straight towards former Chelsea and Crystal Palace star Batshuayi.
Taking immediate action, the Belgian striker launched a spinning heel kick, making contact with the supporter and causing him to quickly disperse.
Stewards tried to protect the players as dozens of fans crowded the field at full time
Violent scenes broke out in several areas of the field as players were forced to defend themselves
The potential for serious damage allegedly caused during the incident was made frighteningly clear with images on social media that appeared to show a supporter brandishing a weapon during the ugly scenes.
Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the violence as he revealed authorities had already started action investigate the identification of the perpetrators.