Eboue pelted with objects in Turkey

Eboue pelted with objects in Turkey

Published Nov. 21, 2011 5:08 p.m. ET

Besiktas fans could face a two-match ban after Galatasaray defender Emmanuel Eboue was repeatedly pelted with objects during a Turkish league game against Besiktas.

Eboue was repeatedly hit on the head Sunday with objects, including a lighter and a plastic water bottle.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said Monday that Besiktas fans also shouted abuse at Galatasaray midfielder Engin Baytar, while some dismantled seats and threw them at police, who tried to intervene.

Galatasaray players and referees continued to be pelted as they left the field protected by a line of police shields.

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Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim tried to calm Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo, who was angered by the assault, the agency reported.

The abuse came despite a decision by Turkey's big four clubs, including Galatasaray and Besiktas, not to allow visiting fans to attend games involving them in an effort to prevent violence. Turkey also introduced stringent anti-hooliganism laws in April, including prison terms for unruly fans.

The Star newspaper said Turkey's soccer federation had filed a report about the incident and that Besiktas fans could be barred from attending two home games. It did not cite a source for the report.

Federation and Galatasaray officials were not available for comment.

There were no reports of any arrests.

In September, Turkey came up with a radical solution for tackling crowd violence, banning men from attending games involving clubs that have been sanctioned for unruly behavior and letting only women and children in for free.

Sunday's game ended in 0-0 draw.

Eboue joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in August.

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