Abandoned Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş derby to continue from where it left off, TFF says
| AFP Photo


The Turkish Cup semifinal match between Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, which was suspended last week over a brawl, will be played from where it left off on Thursday, May 3, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced Wednesday.

According to the TFF decision, the Istanbul derby will be played from the 57th minute onward in an empty stadium.

Later in the day, Turkey's Professional Football Discipline Board (PFDK) ruled Fenerbahçe must pay a fine of 1 million Turkish lira and play three home matches behind closed doors over its fans' behavior during the game.

Beşiktaş center back Pepe, who was shown a straight red card during the game, has also been banned from playing in one match over serious foul play.

Referee Mete Kalkavan abandoned the semifinal second leg following a mass brawl, which saw Fenerbahçe fans throwing objects onto the pitch after an argument with visiting team players on the bench around the 50th minute of the goalless match.

Beşiktaş coach Şenol Güneş suffered a head injury from a projectile hurled by the home fans at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Thirty-one people were detained over the events during the derby.

The first leg played on April 1 ended in a 2-2 tie.