Fenerbahçe ban men from stadium, let women and children in for free
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The Turkish Football Federation has come up with a radical solution for curbing crowd violence by banning men from attending games at clubs that cause trouble.
Under new rules approved by TFF, only women and children under 12 will be allowed in to matches free of charge involving teams sanctioned for unruly fan behavior. Children will need ID to prove their age before being granted free entry.
Fenerbahçe were initially told to play two home matches behind closed doors after fans invaded the pitch during a friendly against Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in July.
But the Turkish authorities later softened their stance and decided to let women and children attend.
According to reports, the atmosphere in the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was far friendlier than usual, with Manisaspor were greeted by cheers instead of the usual jeering.
Manisaspor midfielder Ömer Aysan said: "It was such a fun and pleasant atmosphere. At first we Manisaspor players couldn't believe in what we were seeing and hearing."
"This memory will stay with me forever," Fenerbahçe captain Alex said. "It's not always that you see so many women and children in one game."
The game ended with a 1-1 draw and there was no winner, well except Turkish football obviously.
Watch the first football match attended only by women and children
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| More than 41,000 women and children watch Fenerbahçe play against Manisapor Photo: Getty Images |
Under new rules approved by TFF, only women and children under 12 will be allowed in to matches free of charge involving teams sanctioned for unruly fan behavior. Children will need ID to prove their age before being granted free entry.
The first match subject to the new ruling was Tuesday's game between Fenerbahçe and Manisaspor in Istanbul which was attended by more than 41,000 women and children.
Fenerbahçe were initially told to play two home matches behind closed doors after fans invaded the pitch during a friendly against Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in July.
But the Turkish authorities later softened their stance and decided to let women and children attend.
According to reports, the atmosphere in the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was far friendlier than usual, with Manisaspor were greeted by cheers instead of the usual jeering.
Manisaspor midfielder Ömer Aysan said: "It was such a fun and pleasant atmosphere. At first we Manisaspor players couldn't believe in what we were seeing and hearing."
"This memory will stay with me forever," Fenerbahçe captain Alex said. "It's not always that you see so many women and children in one game."
The game ended with a 1-1 draw and there was no winner, well except Turkish football obviously.
Watch the first football match attended only by women and children
Related links:
Team
Also see:
