WHY OSAYI-SAMUEL OF THE SUPER EAGLES, DESPITE FIGHTING A TURKISH FAN, MIGHT NOT BE BANNED

Babatunji Wusu –

Bright Osayi-Samuel, a defender for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, is often exempt from suspension in Turkey due to the regulatory structure around sport.

Vibrant Osayi-Last Saturday, when his Turkish club, Fenerbahce, defeated Trabzonspor 3-2 away from home, Samuel found himself in a tumultuous position.

Some home team supporters invaded the field to attack the visiting team’s players while the away team was celebrating their triumph.

In a video, Osayi-Samuel was seen shoving a mask-wearing Trabzonspor supporter to the ground before attacking him to protect his teammates.

Following the incident, Ali Yerlikaya, the interior minister of Turkey, declared via his X page that an investigation had been launched.

Meanwhile, rumors circulated that Bright Osayi-Samuel’s altercation with the supporter could result in a ten-game ban.

The 2023 AFCON silver medallist, it has been argued, confronted the supporter in self-defense.

Luckily for him, a player or official in Turkish football is always allowed to defend themselves.

Article 4 of the Turkish FA rules states that: “Self-defence provisions are regulated in Criminal Procedure Law. It has been determined as a rule that no punishment will be given for actions taken to repel an unfair attack on a right belonging to oneself or someone else, which is certain to occur or be repeated, in a proportionate manner, according to the current conditions. However, for an action to be considered as self-defense, it depends on these conditions being met fully and completely.”

Accordingly, it is anticipated that Bright Osayi-Samuel will be free to rejoin the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Morocco for their friendlies against Mali on March 26 and Ghana on March 22.

In the meantime, several Fenerbahce supporters created a graffiti painting in honor of Bright Osayi-Samuel for his bravery in facing down Trabzonspor supporters.