Akturkoglu hits out! Ex-Benfica man sues fans in row | OneFootball

In the latest Istanbul derby, Kerem Akturkoglu once again showed all his composure in decisive moments, scoring a penalty in the 90'+11th minute that gave Fenerbahçe victory over Besiktas, in a match full of tension and strong emotions, especially for the fans of both clubs. However, the impact he had on the pitch was also felt off it, though not for the best reasons.

Shortly after the final whistle, the former Benfica winger was targeted with an avalanche of insults and offensive comments, including attacks on his family, behavior the player considered unacceptable and which led to the intervention of his lawyer, Enes Alis. According to the legal statement, those responsible will face criminal action, as the cyberbullying went beyond the limits of freedom of expression and reached levels of harassment that carry legal consequences.

"It was recently detected that, through certain social media platforms, posts containing insulting content have been systematically made against our client Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoglu and his family. This type of post made through social media carries criminal and civil liability. We inform the public that criminal proceedings will be initiated against individuals who, on social media platforms, exceed the limits of freedom of expression in relation to our client", the statement reads.

The outcome of the Istanbul derby and the subsequent reaction on social media have sparked a debate about the limits of criticism and the protection of players against personal attacks online. For Akturkoglu, the decision to take legal action sends a clear message: respect is mandatory, and media exposure should not justify insults or threats, reinforcing the need for accountability in cases of digital harassment in modern football.

Kerem Aktrkoglu — currently valued at €22 million — has been one of the standout players for the Istanbul club. This season, wearing the Fenerbahçe shirt, the Turkey international has made 37 official appearances. In the 2,589 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the winger has recorded 12 goals and seven assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.