In a bold move, the Turkish Soccer Federation banned males from attending a Fenerbahce game in Istanbul on Tuesday. The decision was an experiment in combating fan violence. 41,000 women and children came to Tuesday's game between Fenerbahce and Manisaspor, sporting their team's colors and chanting the team's songs. Ferenbahce was originally ordered to play the game behind closed doors. However, those on the team did not want to play in a silent stadium. Officials decided to adopt the unique arrangement, banning men and giving free tickets to women and children under 12. The decision came in light of an incident in July in which fans stormed their stadium to protest a match-fixing investigation that the team was pulled into. Fans, angry that their team was facing possible sanctions, attacked security guards and journalists who had reported on the scandal. Tuesday's game, however, was peaceful. The team reportedly threw flowers into the stands before the match, as a full house of adoring women and children cheered them on. “It is great because sport should be a fun and exciting thing and not full of all the violence. Many people I know are fed up with how football is seen as a men's game and that women can't really participate. I am happy to see this happen,” said Ceyda Azlem, a 22-year-old university student in Istanbul. BM
