Former Blackpool and QPR star punches fan as Turkish Super League game ends amid ugly scenes

Former Blackpool player Bright Osayi-Samuel was at the centre of some unsavoury scenes after his Fenerbahce side secured a 3-2 win at Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super League on Sunday night.

A number of angry home fans invaded the Papara Park pitch after former Crystal Palace and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi scored a late winner for the visitors.

But taking matters into his own hands, the ex-Seasiders winger showed he was far from intimated. Quite the opposite, in fact, as he ran towards one intruder who was fast approaching the Fenerbahce players gathered in the centre circle and punched him to the ground.

The 26-year-old then proceeded to tangle with the Trabzonspor fan who he pinned down on he pitch as stewards and official rush to the incident in an attempt to calm matters down.

Batshuayi is also observed tackling the invasion head on, too, as he attempted to stop one fans heading towards the dugouts with a back-heeled karate kick.

The extraordinary incident saw more fans enter the pitch and a ruckus ensued with more stewards and the police rushing to the brawl to try and restore order. In the end, the Fenerbahce players - including Osayi-Samuel - quickly retreated down the tunnel.

In the aftermath of the match, he was serenaded by his own supporters, the Fenerbahce fans who chanted his name and shook hands with him.

Osayi-Samuel began his career at Blackpool, having moved to Lancashire from London when he was 10-years-old. He came through the academy at Bloomfield Road and made his debut for the club in March 2017. In three-and-a-half seasons at the club, in which Osayi-Samuel played in three divisions, he appeared 79 times, scoring five goals for Blackpool.

Osayi-Samuel moved tom Turkey in January 2021, after spending four years at QPR. The Nigeria international has featured more than 100 times for Fenerbache and helped the club win the Turkish Cup last season. The right-sided ace has been linked with a return to England, though, with both Leeds United and Wolves said to be interested in signing him. 

Fenerbahce's win over Trabzonspor saw them narrow the gap on fierce rivals Galatasaray to just two points. They are now 30 points ahead of third-placed Trabzonspor. The club have not won a league title since 2014, but have now given themselves a chance of ending that 10-year wait.

Earlier this season, the Turkish Super League was paused for a week following an attack on a referee. Ankaragucu's club president Faruk Koca entered the pitch and struck Halil Umut Meler in the face, leaving him hospitalised. He was been given a permanent ban and the club were forced to play without supporters for five matches, as well as being fined with a £54,000 fine.