A Turkish court has found Bright Osayi-Samuel guilty of assault following the chaotic pitch invasion that ended a Turkish Süper Lig clash between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe in March 2024.
The ruling comes more than a year after one of the most controversial moments in recent Turkish football, when home supporters stormed the pitch after Trabzonspor’s 3–2 defeat to Fenerbahçe, confronting opposition players in scenes that drew attention.
According to the court’s decision, Osayi-Samuel was convicted of “simple assault” for striking a pitch invader during the incident. He was issued a fine of approximately 6,000 Turkish Lira.
However, the sentence has been suspended for five years, meaning the Nigerian international will not face immediate legal consequences unless he commits another offence within that period. The ruling also ensures the conviction will not be permanently recorded, provided there are no further infractions.
The altercation occurred at the final whistle, as tensions spilled over from the stands onto the pitch. Fenerbahçe players were confronted by a group of aggressive supporters, leading to physical clashes.
During the chaos, Osayi-Samuel was captured on video punching one of the invading fans. The player has maintained that his actions were in self-defence, citing the immediate threat posed by the invading supporters and the lack of adequate security at the time.
At the time of the incident in March 2024, Osayi-Samuel was still a player for Fenerbahçe, which explains his direct involvement in the match.
He has since moved on from the Turkish club, leaving in
The court also handed fines to Osayi-Samuel’s teammates, including Jayden Oosterwolde and İrfan Can Eğribayat, for their roles in the incident.