Fenerbahçe and Gençlerbirliği match incidents

Fenerbahçe entered the new Süper Lig season facing logistical and roster difficulties. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) denied the club’s request to postpone its opening match against Gençlerbirliği, which was intended to provide recovery time for upcoming UEFA Champions League play-offs. The club subsequently requested a postponement for its second-week match against Konyaspor.

Personnel changes and injuries also impacted the squad, as goalkeeper İrfan Can Eğribayat transferred to Gençlerbirliği and goalkeeper Mert Günok sustained an injury. Ahead of the match in Ankara, supporters had already filed complaints regarding high ticket prices for the away section.

During the match at Eryaman Stadium, a confrontation occurred in the Gençlerbirliği stands involving a 4-year-old boy, Göktuğ Alımcı, wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey. An individual identified as Şenel Akdemir reportedly pressured the child and forcibly removed the jersey despite interventions from bystanders and police. A police officer assisted the child by placing a police shirt over him to de-escalate the tension.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a judicial investigation into Akdemir for violations of the Law on Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports and for the crime of “depriving a child of their liberty.”

In response, Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü condemned the behavior as disrespectful to the club's 103-year history and invited the family to their facilities. Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü also expressed condemnation and invited the child and his father to attend their upcoming match against Olympique Lyon in Istanbul.