Fenerbahçe vs Górnik Zabrze Champions League tie marred by fan violence in Turkey

On 21 July 2026, Fenerbahçe hosted Górnik Zabrze in the UEFA Champions League second‑qualifying‑round first leg in Istanbul, winning 1‑0 thanks to a free‑kick from Anderson Talisca. Polish media highlighted the decisive goal. The match was preceded by a violent incident in the stadium’s guest sector, where Turkish police clashed with Polish supporters. Nine Górnik fans were detained, several suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital before being moved to custody. The Polish consulate intervened, securing medical treatment first. Owner and former international Lukas Podolski purchased return tickets for the injured fans, who subsequently travelled back to Poland. Górnik Zabrze intends to lodge a formal complaint with UEFA, and sanctions are possible. The second‑leg rematch is scheduled for 29 July in Zabrze. UEFA announced that Belgian referee Lothar D’hondt will officiate the return fixture, with his assistants and VAR team named. The match was also listed for online broadcast, with streaming details provided for viewers.