Beşiktaş chairman apologizes for wrongdoings in derby of brawls

ISTANBUL

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Beşiktaş chairman Firket Orman has “apologized for any wrongdoings” committed by his club during the Feb. 5 Ziraat Turkey Cup game against Fenerbahçe, which was marked by brawls and on-pitch violence. 

“I apologize to everyone for our wrongdoings in the derby,” Orman said on Feb. 7 at a ceremony marking a new jersey deal with Vodafone. 

“Football should spread happiness to everyone. We should work for this. For our side, the Sunday game is all over. But I feel really sorry that our diamond boys, who have been picked [for Beşiktaş] with the utmost care, as well as our coach who has become a symbol for Turkey, were involved in such scenes,” he added. 

“I am also mistaken … I shouldn’t get involved in polemics. I am sorry,” Orman stated.  

Tensions in the Feb. 5 derby game peaked after Fenerbahçe’s Robin van Persie and Beşiktaş’s Dusko Tosic came into confrontation. 

The home side’s Serbian defender headbutted the Dutch forward, who had kicked him while the ball was in play. 

The referee sent off Tosic and booked van Persie over the incident, sparking a brawl between the players of the two teams. 

Tensions continued after the game as Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş was pictured grabbing the face of Fenerbahçe defender Simon Kjær.  

After the game, van Persie said he was “not implying anything” by placing his hands inside his shorts while looking at Beşiktaş captain Oğuzhan Özyakup, a picture that triggered debate during and after the game. 

Fenerbahçe won the game 1-0 thanks to a clean touch by van Persie on the 72nd minute from inside the six-yard box, handing the Black Eagles their first loss in at its new stadium, Vodafone Arena.

Beşiktaş, meanwhile, extended its jersey deal with Vodafone for another two years in a $10 million deal. The mobile operator has a broader deal with Beşiktaş, signed four years ago, for $150 million in support mainly including expenses for the construction of Vodafone Arena.