Nationalists Spark Unrest During Football Match in Turkey

An anti-Kurdish action was organized in Bursa, located in western Turkey. Nationalists caused disturbances during the football match between Bursa Spor and Amed Spor, the latter representing Diyarbakir, where a Kurdish majority resides.

According to Turkish media reports, fans of Bursa Spor created a commotion at the hotel where Amed Spor players were staying the night before. They shouted racist slogans and set off fireworks.

During the match, supporters of Bursa Spor raised banners featuring the image of Mahmut Yıldırım, a Turkish intelligence secret agent who was actively involved in fighting against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). When the players from Amed Spor entered the field, fans chanted, “The homeland is indivisible. I am proud to be Turkish. Crush anyone who dares to look at your homeland, son. Revenge.”

Earlier, Karo Paylan, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey, expressed doubts about whether the authorities would ensure the safety of the players from Diyarbakir. He posted images on Twitter showing the stands and the injured goalkeeper of Amed Spor.