Turkish, German football fans face off in Istanbul

Football fans of Turkish club Galatasaray and German side Borussia Dortmund were reported to have broken out into a fight near Taksim Square, Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, ahead of the two team's Group D clash in the Champions League Wednesday.

A quarrel erupted when the rivals encountered each other on a side street near Istiklal Avenue, turning into a brawl before the police were able to arrive, as shown by a video recording, according to a report in Hurriyet Daily News, reports Xinhua.

Borussia Dortmund fans were pushed toward Taksim Square by the police before they were dispersed, said the report.

 

The game was scheduled to start at Galatasaray Lions' home ground, the Turk Telekom Arena, in Istanbul Wednesday.