27.03.2026 21:41
In the Fenerbahçe - Galatasaray derby, the fan who threw a lighter at the yellow-red player Kazımcan Karataş appeared before the judge for the first time. The fan Mert Güçlü, who stated that his intention was not to throw the lighter at the experienced player, said, "In the sadness and stress of the moment, I randomly threw the lighter I had next to me onto the field. My intention was not to throw the lighter at the complainant. I acted in a momentary reflex."
Mert Güçlü, who caused Kazımcan Karataş to be injured by throwing a lighter onto the field during the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray match, appeared before the judge. Güçlü stated in his defense, "I am very sad and regretful that such an incident occurred. I had no intention of committing a crime." The hearing was postponed to June 16.
THE LIGHTER THROWN FROM THE TRIBUNE HIT KAZIMCAN'S FACE
On December 1, 2025, Galatasaray faced Fenerbahçe and took the lead by scoring a goal in the 27th minute. During the players' celebration of the goal, a lighter thrown from the Fenerbahçe stands hit player Kazımcan Karataş in the face. Following the incident, Karataş was injured, and the fan who threw the lighter, Mert Güçlü, was taken into custody. The first hearing was held at the Istanbul Anadolu 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance. Mert Güçlü and the lawyers of the parties were present at the hearing.
'MY INTENTION WAS NOT TO THROW THE LIGHTER AT THE COMPLAINANT'
In his defense, the defendant Mert Güçlü stated that he did not know the complainant, saying, "I am a Fenerbahçe supporter. I went to the stadium to watch the match on the date of the incident. When Galatasaray scored during the match, the players came to celebrate near where I was sitting in the stands. At that moment, a large number of foreign objects were thrown from the stands. In the sadness and stress of the moment, I randomly threw the lighter next to me onto the field. However, since the Galatasaray players were close to where I was, the lighter went in that direction. I did not see that the lighter hit the complainant. My intention was not to throw the lighter at the complainant. I acted in a moment of reflex. I am very sad and regretful that such an incident occurred. I had no intention of committing a crime. I request to be acquitted," he said.
THE HEARING WAS POSTPONED
The public prosecutor, who presented his opinion at the hearing, requested that the defendant be punished with imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year and 6 months for the crime of 'intentional injury with a weapon.' The hearing was postponed to June 16 for the defendant to make his final defense and for the decision.