Turkish celebrations

Generally speaking, the European Super Cup is rightly regarded as a sort of sporting cabaret organised by UEFA to entertain senior club and association officials who are in town for the draws of the confederation's main competitions.

When Galatasaray beat Real Madrid this week, however, the victory was seen as big news back in Turkey. Sadly, the victory prompted the sort of celebrations that all too regularly cost lives in Turkey with supporters heading out onto the streets to fire weapons into the air.

Although there were no deaths this week the casualties did include three women who were, in separate incidents, shot in the foot, arm and shoulder respectively while in Istanbul a car being driven by a celebrating supporter ran over three pedestrians.