# Fenerbahçe and AS Roma draw 1-1; Kartal resignation disputed

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fenerbahe-and-as-roma-champions-league-matchup
> Updated: 2026-09-11T07:14:14.000Z. Sources: 291. Developments: 3.

Fenerbahçe and AS Roma played to a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Champions League league stage opener on September 10, 2026, at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul. This match marked Fenerbahçe’s return to the Champions League group stage after an 18-year absence.

Prior to the match, AS Roma announced they would wear special jerseys featuring the logo of the World Food Programme (WFP) to support relief efforts in Nepal. This decision followed Turkish laws prohibiting the advertising of betting operators, which prevented the club from wearing its usual main sponsor. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini noted the difficulty of playing in Istanbul, while the match saw Cristante score for Roma in the 39th minute and Archie Brown equalize for Fenerbahçe in the 48th minute.

Following the result, Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal announced his immediate resignation after a fan threw a bottle that struck him in the head. Kartal stated, “Tonight I resigned. I am opening the way for my club. I resigned while that path still exists, and I have no intention of ever returning.” The announcement reportedly came as a shock to players, including Archie Brown.

Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım has refused to accept the resignation, stating that the club is a “family” and that Kartal remains in his position. Yıldırım declared, “Ismail Kartal is staying. I am his superior, I told him to continue and that is it.” While the club identified the individual responsible, Kaan A., and issued a stadium ban, reports indicate growing uncertainty as Kartal has not attended subsequent training sessions and has reportedly turned off his phone. The fan, Kaan A., has since expressed regret, claiming he did not intend to target the coach.

## Claims

- Fenerbahçe drew 1-1 against Roma in their Champions League premiere. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- İsmail Kartal announced his resignation as Fenerbahçe coach following a 1-1 draw against Roma. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Kartal stated he would never return to the club. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım refused to accept the resignation and stated Kartal will remain in his position. (single source)
- A bottle was thrown at Kartal's head during the match. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: Fenerbahçe coach Ismail Kartal resigns after fan incident

Fenerbahçe coach Ismail Kartal resigned following a Champions League draw against Roma after being struck by a thrown bottle, but President Aziz Yıldırım has refused to accept the resignation.

34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fenerbahe-coach-ismail-kartal-resigns-after-being-struck-by-fan

### 2026-09-09: AS Roma to wear charity jerseys for Champions League match in Turkey

AS Roma will wear special jerseys featuring the World Food Programme logo during their Champions League match against Fenerbahçe to support flood relief efforts in Nepal.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/as-roma-to-play-fenerbahe-without-main-sponsor-logo

### 2026-09-09: Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal resigns after Roma draw

Fenerbahçe manager İsmail Kartal resigned following a 1-1 Champions League draw against AS Roma, though club president Aziz Yıldırım stated the resignation has not been accepted.

270 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fenerbahe-to-host-as-roma-in-uefa-champions-league-opener

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Cite as: Fenerbahçe and AS Roma draw 1-1; Kartal resignation disputed. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fenerbahe-and-as-roma-champions-league-matchup