Fenerbahce to withdraw from the Turkish Super Lig?! Date set for extraordinary decision on league future following terrifying attacks from Trabzonspor fans

ESPN reports that club members will vote at an extraordinary general assembly on Tuesday, April 2, on a motion to leave the league. Fenerbahce initially brought up the issue to walk away altogether after players were attacked by Trabzonspor fans storming the pitch at the end of a game last month.

Fenerbahce players were left fearing for their lives as Trabzonspor supporters battled with security personnel and entered the field of play. As the Fener team ran to get off the pitch, pursued by angry home fans, video footage showed some Trabzonspor players trying to usher them towards the relative safety of the tunnel and attempting to hold off the incensed mob.

Turkish football has already been hit by a number of concerning incidents this season, including an astonishing attack on a referee by a club president. As one of its more storied clubs, Fenerbahce's withdrawal from the Super Lig would be a devastating blow to its reputation and credibility.

The result of the vote will be huge. If the unthinkable happens and Fenerbahce are no longer part of the Super Lig, they could theoretically apply to neighbouring countries, such as Greece, Bulgaria or Romania, to join a new domestic league. Expatriated clubs playing abroad does already happen around the world for various reasons, but this would be the most high profile example. Alternatively, Fenerbahce members could vote to remain, but the process getting this far at least ought to spark change in Turkish football and how it manages the behaviour of fans and personnel.