Ex QPR and Blackpool star labelled 'hero' for role in Turkish brawl

Former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel has been hailed as a 'hero' by some football fans online for his actions in a mass brawl that broke out in Turkey on Sunday.

The 26-year-old now plays for Fenerbahce and was involved in the side's meeting with Super Lig rivals Trabzonspor over the weekend. The feisty match ended in a win for Osayi-Samuel's side with ex Chelsea and Crystal Palace striker Michy Batshuayi grabbing a late winner to make the score 3-2.

What followed the full-time whistle was a pitch invasion from the losing home side as supporters tried to attack Fenerbahce players. The scenes, which were circulated far and wide online, have horrified football fans.

Osayi-Samuel was front and centre of the brawl as he punched one violent pitch invader to the ground in a bid to protect his teammates.

The violence broke out after Fenerbahce players gathered in the centre circle to celebrate their victory. Trabzonspor supporters passed security staff and the away side had to be ushered off the pitch amid safety concerns. During the match, home supporters had thrown objects onto the field of play.

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Batshuayi also made headlines for attempting a spinning kick on one of the invaders but it was the ex Rs star who was hailed by supporters after the match. Fenerbahce fanatics chanted the player's name as they welcomed the players back after the match as the star looked back amazed. A number of social media users also labelled the player a 'hero' while many lamented that the situation had escalated to violence.

Osayi-Samuel joined QPR from Blackpool in 2017 and racked up 115 appearances for the Rs before moving to Turkey in January 2021.

After the brawl, Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, tweeted: "After the Trabzonspor-Fenerbahçe football match played this evening, identification efforts regarding the spectators entering the field and an investigation into the events that took place after the match were immediately launched.

"Sports is, above all, sportsmanship. It is never acceptable for violence to occur on football fields. The public will be informed about the developments."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino took to Instagram to condemn the clash as “absolutely unacceptable,” and demanded Turkish authorities to hold the perpetrators to account. The AP reports that Turkish police have now detained 12 people after the incident.