Enschede Mayor bans Besiktas fans ahead of clash with Twente – Turkish club wish to play elsewhere | OneFootball

Reports from the Netherlands this morning have suggested that Besiktas do not want to play their Europa League match against FC Twente at the Grolsch Veste.

This news arrived after Mayor Roelof Bleker of Enschede recently informed the 16-time Süper Lig winners that their supporters would not be welcome at the match on the 30th of January for fear of crowd trouble.

Bleker based his decision on ‘previous public order disturbances’ involving Besiktas fans. He informed the Black Eagles that their fans would therefore not be allowed to travel to Enschede. In an official statement, Besiktas disagreed, citing prejudicial issues.

“Although our vice presidents have committed to taking all safety measures, we see Bleker’s decision as discrimination. We do not want to play the match against FC Twente in Enschede, where Mayor Roelof Bleker himself has stated that safety cannot be guaranteed.

“We have submitted a request to UEFA to have the match played in another city or country, where fans of both clubs can sit in the stands in a friendly and safe manner.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield