Turkish football club fans display Gaza solidarity banner during Europa League match

During the UEFA Europa League Week 3 match between Fenerbahçe and Stuttgart on October 23, 2025, fans of the Turkish football club unveiled a poignant banner in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The banner, inscribed with the message “If a child is crying, geography doesn’t matter,” was prominently displayed in the stands of Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul.

This display is part of a broader wave of solidarity from Turkish football supporters, including groups from Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, who have used their platforms to raise awareness about the 'Israeli' genocide in Gaza.

Fenerbahçe fans have previously showcased similar messages, such as “Stop the genocide in Gaza! Free Palestine!” during a Champions League playoff match against Benfica.

The club's supporters are known for their passionate activism, with organized groups like Genç Fenerbahçeliler (GFB) and Antu/Fenerlist leading efforts to advocate for human rights and social justice. These actions reflect a growing trend where fans are increasingly using sports events to express political and humanitarian concerns.

While UEFA typically enforces regulations against political displays in stadiums, the organization has yet to impose sanctions on clubs for such expressions of solidarity. The Fenerbahçe-Stuttgart match concluded with a 1-0 victory for the Turkish side, with Kerem Aktürkoğlu scoring the decisive goal in the 34th minute.