Red Star Belgrade Basketball Fan Killed in Pregame Violence in Istanbul
Tragedy struck before a basketball game between Red Star Belgrade and Galatasaray in Istanbul on Friday when a 25-year-old supporter of the visiting team was killed after being stabbed during a violent clash.
Zoran Milosavljevic of Reuters passed along comments made by Serbian consulย Zoran Markovicย to the country's state television, RTS:
"It was an act of hostility and a terrible tragedy. ... I am distraught.
We had been warning the Turkish authorities for two days prior to the game that it was going to be a high-risk match and we are now trying to make sure that all Red Star fans leave Turkey safely as soon as possible.
I also wish to stress that the doctors fought like lions for the young man's life after he was rushed to hospital, the resuscitation attempts lasted five hours but he died because he had lost too much blood.
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The Reuters report states the situation escalated after around 400 Red Star fans showed up to Abdi Ipekci Arena and were denied entry. It led to chaos with riot police needed to disperse the crowd, which proceeded to damage cars and shops.
What's unclear is at what point during the incident the fan was killed. No further direct information about the moments leading up to the stabbing was released. He passed away after being rushed to a local hospital.
The game was played despite the violence. Galatasaray won in double overtime.
