Jayden Oosterwolde and Mert Hakan Yandaş found guilty of causing a spinal fracture to a Galatasaray official in a post-match brawl.
The legal fallout from one of the most violent episodes in recent Turkish football history has reached a conclusion. A Turkish court has sentenced Fenerbahçe players Jayden Oosterwolde and Mert Hakan Yandaş to 16-month suspended prison sentences following a brutal assault on a Galatasaray official during the May 2024 Istanbul Derby.
The Assault and Injuries The conviction stems from an incident in the penultimate round of the 2023/24 Süper Lig season. Following Fenerbahçe’s 1-0 victory at RAMS Park, a chaotic brawl broke out off the pitch. According to the prosecution and evidence presented in court, the Dutch defender (Oosterwolde) and the Turkish midfielder (Yandaş) inflicted “blows and injuries” on Galatasaray’s stadium director, Ali Çelikkiran.
Medical reports confirmed the severity of the attack, revealing that the victim suffered a cervical (spinal) fracture as a result of the players’ actions.
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Legal Implications and “Suspended” Status The court found both athletes guilty of “assault resulting in serious injury.” While the 16-month sentence is a significant legal blow, it remains suspended. This means:
- The players will not serve immediate time in a penitentiary.
- They are placed on a probationary period defined by Turkish justice.
- If either player commits another crime during this period, the suspension will be revoked, and they will be required to serve the full sentence in prison.
Fenerbahçe Remains Silent Despite the high-profile nature of the sentencing, Fenerbahçe has so far declined to comment on the court’s decision. The club had been silent throughout much of the legal proceedings, and the conviction of two active first-team players adds another layer of tension to their historic rivalry with Galatasaray.
The match in question remains a bitter memory for both sides; while Fenerbahçe won the game, Galatasaray went on to secure the league title just days later. This ruling ends the legal chapter of an event that shocked the football world and once again highlighted the volatile nature of the Intercontinental Derby.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
