Kayseri Erciyesspor - 1967 Kayseri Stadium Disaster

1967 Kayseri Stadium Disaster

Kayseri Erciyesspor were involved in the worst cases of crowd violence in Turkish football history, otherwise known as the '1967 Kayseri stadium disaster' in which 43 peoples lost their lives and 300 were injured as known as Kayserispor before 2004-2005 season. The match took place on the 17th September 1967 against neighboring city rivals Sivasspor. Sivasspor supporters traveled to the city of Kayseri with 20 minibuses, 40 coaches and by train. Minor disturbances and unrest were reported around the city and the Sivasspor fans were accused of acts of hooliganism and vandalism. The match kicked off at 16:00 in front of 21,000 fans in the Kayseri stadium, the troubles started in the 20th minute when Kayserispor's Küçük Oktay scored. Witnesses at the game reported that Sivasspor supporters responded by hurling rocks and stones at the Kayserispor stands. The incident resulted in the Kayserispor fans panicking and two children lost their lives in the resulting stampede. Kayserispor fans retaliated by marching onto the Sivasspor supporters with stones, sticks and knives. The outnumbered Sivas fans tried to flee however, the exit gate malfunctioned and wouldn't open, this caused a stampede in which 41 people died and 300 were injured as a result of being stamped on and suffocated. Both sides were banned from having supporters at their games for the rest of the season and they were not allowed to play each other for 5 years. The disaster also caused emnity between cities of Kayseri and Sivas. They finally met in 4th Group of 3rd League in 1990-91 season and the emnity was turned to peaceful rivalry.