A game between Goztepe and Altay in the Turkish first division has been suspended after a fan assaulted goalkeeper Ozan Evrim Ozenc with a corner flag.
The shocking incident took place inside the 25,000 capacity Gursel Aksel Stadium in Uckuyular on Sunday evening, when a Goztepe supporter ran onto the pitch and picked up the corner flag.
He then sprinted towards Ozenc before smashing the object across his back with serious force.
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The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who was struck by the object twice, stumbled away as the fan was tackled to the ground by players and security. You can see that sickening footage below.
Ozenc had to be taken to hospital after suffering a four-centimetre head wound, according to Gurbaksh Singh Chahal. He is believed to be conscious following the incident.
CCN report firecrackers were fired at Goztepe fans from the Altay stands with 19 minutes played. Some fans were injured as a result.
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Ambulances proceeded to enter the field of play and this is when goalkeeper Ozenc was struck by the corner flag.
The man involved was reportedly taken into custody by the stadium police.
After the game was suspended, a Goztepe fan account released a statement on social media.
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"We wish a speedy recovery to our fans, who were seriously injured by a flare fired from the Altay away stand," the tweet read." Those who caused these events WE WANT HE TO BE TRIED WITH THE SEVERE PENALTY!"
They added: "The situation where the flare thrown by the away tribune and causing the events to start brought our supporters. Anyone who puts this cartridge in the stadium, allows it to be inserted, fires it has a share in the landing of that stick on the head! He is guilty!
"Those who fired that firecracker to the tribunes to kill perfidious people, regardless of their children, and those who turned a blind eye to it, will pay for our 2 children from Göztepe, who were injured!"
We wish all those injured in the shocking incident a speedy recovery.
Jack Kenmare