17.08.2026 16:01
Deputy Commissioner Uğur Yurduseven, who picked up a child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey who was met with reactions in the stands during the Gençlerbirliği-Fenerbahçe match and carried him to a safe area, described those moments. Speaking about the incident, Deputy Commissioner Uğur Yurduseven said, 'The trembling in his little body was saddening. As a father, I was stressed too.'
In the trendyol Super League match played between Gençlerbirliği and Fenerbahçe, the moments when a police officer took a small child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey onto his lap and removed him from the stands after the child became the target of reactions from some fans in the Gençlerbirliği stands had attracted attention on social media.
THE POLICE OFFICER DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED
Yurduseven, the Assistant Police Commissioner working at the Yunuslar Motorcycle Police Team Directorate affiliated with the Ankara Police Department, who took the child to a safe area, told an AA reporter what happened during the incident. Stating that he immediately noticed that the tension in the stands was directed at the small child wearing the Fenerbahçe jersey, Yurduseven said he intervened in the situation. Yurduseven stated that he went to the child's father and said, "I think these people are coming this way, give me the child so that something bigger doesn't happen," and then took the child into his arms.
"I WAS STRESSED TOO"
Stating that they had to pass through the crowd of fans while trying to remove the child from the stands by taking him into his arms, Yurduseven said his biggest concern was that the child might be harmed. Yurduseven, who said he made eye contact with the person reacting, stated that he told the person that he should not turn his reaction into violence and that any action he took could cost the life of the child, himself, or another citizen.
Yurduseven, who reported that the child was constantly asking questions, getting stressed, and sweating during this time, described how the events affected him as a father with these words:
"The trembling in that small body was truly saddening. As a father, I was actually stressed too, but we try not to show it. Of course, after letting go of that stress later, I said, 'Thank God.' We got out safely."
"I WILL MAKE YOU A POLICE OFFICER"
Yurduseven, who stated that he asked the child to take off his jersey to prevent him from becoming a target again, reported that he asked a police officer he was working with for his t-shirt so the child wouldn't get cold because he was sweaty.
Yurduseven, stating that he had previously told the child "I will make you a police officer," continued as follows:
"On the way back, when we came with the police t-shirt, when he said, 'Will the brothers be angry, will anything happen?' I said, 'Now no one can do anything to you, you are a police officer.' He said, 'I am strong then.' I said, 'You are strong.' He was very happy."
Yurduseven, who thanked the citizens who helped him during the incident, emphasized that police officers cannot perform their duties without the support of citizens.
Regarding Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi congratulating him, Yurduseven said, "Our esteemed Minister, thank you. I am happy and honored. Receiving thanks and appreciation from our Minister, one of our superiors, in my professional life was truly valuable and precious."
STATEMENT FROM GENÇLERBİRLİĞİ
Gençlerbirliği also made a statement after the incident, stating that targeting a child wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey in the stands was incompatible with the club's values.
"For us, a child wearing the opponent's jersey is our child before anything else. We condemn this isolated incident and share the sadness experienced by our little Fenerbahçe child and his family. We particularly emphasize that we stand by the right of every spectator to feel safe in the stands and the love of football," the statement said, also reporting that the little fan and his family were invited to be hosted at the facilities.
HOUSE ARREST DECISION FOR ŞENEL AKDEMİR
Following the incident, legal proceedings were initiated against Şenel Akdemir. A judicial control decision in the form of house arrest was given for Akdemir. Fenerbahçe also contacted the little fan and his family after the events.
HE MADE A VIDEO AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED
Following the incident that has been debated for days, Şenel Akdemir made his first statement. Stating that he could understand the reaction of people who watched the images from outside, Akdemir claimed that what happened was not as it appeared in the images. Akdemir said, "If I were watching it for the first time, I would also show the reaction you showed. Because in the images, I seem to be raving at a father and son. Actually, that's not the case. Friends, I also have a family, I also have children. Please, you are talking without knowing us. The Gençlerbirliği stands really are a very decent stand. That father came there because he knew he could sit there with that jersey. We are part of a culture that says 'Please, would you stand up?' to encourage people. I am in this stand because it suits my nature and my essence."
SPORTS SECURITY MEETINGS
Efforts to ensure peace and security in sports competitions were discussed at the Sports Security Evaluation Meeting held before the 2026-2027 football season. At the meeting held on July 23 with the participation of Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, strengthening peace and security in competitions, preventing violence and disorder in sports, improving cooperation between institutions, and new season sports security strategies were evaluated. At the meeting, Çiftçi drew attention to the uniting power of sports and stated that fans would not be allowed to be pitted against each other and that sports would not be allowed to be used as a tool for provocations.