Super Eagles full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel has made a heartfelt plea for increased protection of players in the wake of violent incidents involving fans.
His appeal follows a regrettable episode during the Fenerbahçe versus Trabzonspor match in Turkey before the international break.
Fenerbahçe secured a 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor in a league fixture just before the international break, narrowing the gap between themselves and league leaders Galatasaray to two points, while distancing Trabzonspor further with 30 points.
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However, the game was marred by altercations between players and some Trabzonspor fans, leading Osayi-Samuel and his teammates to defend themselves against the aggression.
Speaking to Adepoju Samuel on X following Nigeria’s match against Mali in Morocco, Osayi-Samuel revealed further details of the on-field confrontation, highlighting the events leading up to the viral moment on social media.
“I believe they should have called off the game. Our goalkeeper was struck by an object and was bleeding. Shortly after, a free kick was awarded, and they scored from it. How could such a thing occur? We had to protect ourselves because it was chaotic,” Osayi-Samuel expressed.
Despite receiving appreciation from Fenerbahçe fans, including murals honoring his actions, Osayi-Samuel stressed the necessity for enhanced protection of players against such occurrences.
“When violence erupts and players retaliate, it is unacceptable anywhere. The players’ reaction is warranted because some of these fans are armed. If one of our players sustains an injury, it’s not just the clubs that will face issues, but the entire league.”
“Players wouldn’t want to compete in an environment where they feel unsafe and vulnerable to harm. Objects thrown onto the pitch are a common occurrence, not just in Turkey. However, when it escalates, the referee must halt the game,” he added.
Osayi-Samuel has notably contributed three goals and one assist in sixteen league games this season.