The Republic of Ireland soccer team's hopes of European qualification ended in a melee of riot shields in Bursa last night. Veteran striker Tony Cascarino was kicked by a Turkish player and punched by a supporter during an after-match brawl.
The FAI's president, Mr Pat Quigley, confirmed there would be an official protest to UEFA about the scenes which followed the goalless draw - a result that put Turkey through to next year's finals on the away-goals rule.
"We have been treated with respect and hospitality up until the game but what followed after the final whistle was a shameful scene and surely a case for punishment," he said.
The trouble started a few minutes before the end of the match when Tony Cascarino pushed defender Ali Eren into one of the advertising hordings. When the final whistle sounded the Turk ran more than 50 yards to exact his revenge. He kicked the Irishman as Cascarino attempted to leave the pitch and within a matter of seconds players, officials and a number of supporters were involved in a melee from which local star Hakan Sukur emerged with a bloodied face.
The post-match events were more dramatic than anything which happened during the game, seen live via satellite by fans in venues including Dublin's Baggot Inn and Vicar Street.
Several hundred supporters packed the latter, normally a music venue, to watch the match, complete with Star Television's Turkish commentary and advertisements.
RTE's George Hamilton arrived at Vicar Street in time to give a commentary on the second half. But the improved communications didn't help the cause as the Irish failed to create a single real scoring chance in the match. The Irish defence was repeatedly exposed. It went unpunished, thanks mainly to the heroics of stand-in goalkeeper Dean Kiely.