A fan of Scottish side, Rangers, has died in a road accident in Istanbul ahead of the club’s Europa League match against Fenerbahce in the Turkish city on Thursday night.
The club said it was “devastated” to have learned of the death, which happened overnight. Reports in the Turkish press suggest that the man was crossing the road in the early hours of the morning when he was hit by a car before being run over by a second vehicle.
“We are devastated to have learned of the passing of one of our supporters in a road traffic accident overnight in Istanbul,” Rangers said in s statement. “The immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.“
Fenerbahce expressed their “condolences to Rangers FC and the community”, and both teams will wear black armbands during the match as a mark of respect.
“We have learned with deep sorrow that a Rangers FC fan who came to Istanbul to support his team in the first match of the UEFA Europa League last 16 round passed away as a result of a traffic accident,“ Fenerbahce stated. “We would like to express our condolences to the family of the deceased fan, the Rangers club and the community.”