Outrage in Istanbul following images of football fans near Ataturk monument

During the UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul on May 20, 2026, where Aston Villa defeated SC Freiburg 3-0, a controversy emerged involving visiting German fans. Images circulated on social media appearing to show Freiburg supporters urinating near a monument dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the Dolmabahce area. The incident caused significant public anger in Turkey, with users expressing disrespect for the founder of modern Turkey. While many Turkish users demanded the identification and punishment of those involved, some German fans condemned the behavior, labeling those responsible as idiots. There is ongoing debate regarding the authenticity of the images, as some online claims suggest certain photos may have been edited to alter the context or the monument itself. Approximately 11,000 Freiburg supporters traveled to the city for the match, contributing to large gatherings of international fans.