Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray fans unite to protest against Turkish e-ticket system that allows police to snoop on their private data and bank accounts



Fans from Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray put aside their differences to protest against a common enemy this weekend - the authorities who want to introduce an electronic ticketing system at Turkish league matches.

Police were forced to use tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of fans of the three Istanbul clubs who gathered on Istiklal Avenue, near the city's famous Taksim Square, to protest against the controversial system recently introduced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).



Clash: Supporters of rival Istanbul teams Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce united to fight the police in protest against new e-tickets for Turkish league fixtures that will allow the authorities to snoop on fans' private details

Lighting up: Fans light flares in Istiklal Avenue, close to Taksim Square, in the centre of Istanbul as the protest gets underway Aflame: Fans throw flares and fireworks at lines of riot police

United: Fans of the three rival clubs put aside their differences for one day only to protest against this common grievance

Smoking: The colours of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas mingling together is a very rare one in Turkey

The future's orange: The fans say the police and Turkish Football Federation will be able to access personal information and bank accounts of those who buy e-tickets

Fans' groups from all three clubs have blasted the new system which will allow police and security services to access private data when they buy match tickets.

Besiktas fans have already said they will boycott the derby with Fenerbahce on Sunday evening in protest against the new ticketing system, which they believe will exert too much control over fans.



Blasted: Riot police fire water cannon to disperse the hundreds of protesting fans

Noisy: Fans chant in protest and light flares as they rally against the new system. Many supporters' groups have vowed to boycott matches in protest

Detained: A protester is led away by two plain-clothed police officers during the clashes in the centre of Istanbul on Sunday

Battle lines: Riot police line up across Istiklal Avenue as fans light flares in front of them

Tickertape: The road was covered in leaflets distributed by the protesters

The ticketing cards will allow the operator to access supporters' national identity data, bank account details and other private information, all of which can then by passed on to the police and the TFF.

On April 13, some 40 Turkish fans' groups signed a joint declaration urging supporters not to buy e-tickets and to boycott matches.



Right back at you: A police officer lobs an orange flare back at fans

Bathed: The orange smoke cast the streets in an unusual light as pitched battles raged with police