War veteran who suffered a heart attack at Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş derby buried in Mut

Gerçek Yaşar was buried in his hometown of Mut after suffering a heart attack in the stands during the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş derby. The 48-year-old Fenerbahçe supporter fell ill during the second half of the match on September 5 at Chobani Stadium and died despite medical intervention.

Yaşar had traveled to Istanbul with his 16-year-old son, Gazi Yaşar, to watch a football match live for the first time. He had previously served as a gendarmerie second lieutenant and became a war veteran after being wounded in a 2003 clash with militants in Bingöl. He later worked at the Mut Forestry Directorate in Mersin before retiring.

His funeral at Laal Paşa Mosque drew his wife Zehra, his son Gazi, his 10-year-old daughter Zeren, relatives and local officials. Representatives of Fenerbahçe’s board also attended, while Beşiktaş President Serdal Adalı and Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım sent wreaths. The two clubs had issued messages of condolence after the match.

After the funeral prayer led by district mufti Hasan Akcan, Yaşar was buried in the town cemetery. His wife and children embraced the coffin and wept during the ceremony.