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THIS is the shocking moment when Fenerbahce’s manager was hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd, leading him to declare his resignation.
Ismail Kartal was in charge of the Turkish club during a 1-1 draw at home against Roma, where an early second-half goal from Archie Brown leveled Bryan Cristante‘s first-half opener.
Following the match, footage emerged showing a fan seated behind the manager’s dugout who had thrown a BOTTLE in Kartal’s direction.
The 65-year-old, who returned to Fenerbahce for the fourth time in June, abruptly announced his resignation, effective immediately.
He told reporters: “As of this evening, I want to commend my players and announce my resignation.
“I have decided to step down from my position while there is still a chance, in order to support my cherished Fenerbahce, my players, and future managers.
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“I wish everyone a pleasant evening, knowing that I will not be returning.”
This announcement took both club officials and players by surprise, but Fenerbahce President Aziz Yıldırım insisted he would not accept the resignation.
Yıldırım stated: “None of us were aware of his decision to resign.
“Ismail Kartal will continue as coach. The entire Fenerbahce community must rally behind the coach. Until I step down, Ismail Kartal is the coach of Fenerbahce.”
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Goalscorer Brown, who has represented England Under-20s and had youth spells at West Brom and Derby, learned of the news after the game and was left in shock.
The 24-year-old reacted: “What do you mean he resigned?”
He added: “[Quit] as what? As coach? What does resigned mean… he’s not the coach anymore? He just said this? I was completely unaware of this.”
A club statement disclosed that the individual responsible for throwing the bottle had been identified, based on guidance from Istanbul prosecutors, and a stadium ban was imposed under Law 6222.
Yıldırım, 73, elaborated with an extensive statement criticizing the media, pundits, and fans who were openly against the team despite their Champions League qualification—claiming that some were “betraying” the club.
He mentioned that he had spoken with Kartal, assuring him that he would remain in his role after their conversation.
He said: “I just spoke to İsmail Kartal privately. He mentioned the bottle incident and the subsequent pressure. He stated, ‘I’m taking medication.’ I personally take 30 pills a day myself…
“There’s no necessity for İsmail Kartal to say ‘I will continue.’ I am older than him. I told him, ‘You will carry on,’ and that is final. We are family.
“We have no issues from our side. The situation is that during the match while it was 1–1, a bottle was thrown at his head. People were chanting from the stands. Fans yell without understanding the reality of the situation.
“Fenerbahçe fans must defend the integrity of their club – not just the players, coaches, and directors, but every value within the entire community.”
Fenerbahce’s Turkish rivals, Trabzonspor, where Mohamed Salah is now playing, also encountered a similar issue when their manager, Fatih Tekke, resigned after a defeat in the Europa League play-off.
Tekke’s “emotional” resignation was initially rejected by the club but was later accepted after they reached a “mutual understanding” in early September.
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