Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: Fans, Players and Police Impacted as Forest Survive Flare-hit Tie to Reach Europa League Last 16

Fans, stadium staff and both teams felt the immediate consequences of a volatile evening at the City Ground in the Europa League playoff second leg — nottm forest vs fenerbahçe left supporters shaken as flares and fireworks interrupted play and three people were arrested. Despite a 2-1 defeat on the night, Nottingham Forest progressed 4-2 on aggregate, helped by Callum Hudson-Odoi's sixth goal of the season.

Nottm Forest Vs Fenerbahçe: who felt the impact first

The away supporters triggered the first disruption: sections of a 1, 500-strong away end reportedly launched fireworks and small flares onto the pitch immediately after kick-off, forcing a stoppage of more than three minutes as players had to dodge objects. The same incidents led to a separate delay later in the first half when multiple flares had to be removed, leaving a section of seating in the away end damaged after fans left the area.

How the night unfolded — goals, penalties and turning points

Forest entered the second leg on the back of a 3-0 first-leg win in Istanbul, but the match at the City Ground became nervy when Kerem Aktürkoglu scored on 22 minutes to open hope for Fenerbahçe. Sidiki Cherif broke down the right and set up Aktürkoglu for the opener after Forest were caught with a high line. The visitors then grabbed a penalty 25 seconds after the restart when Jair Cunha tripped Aktürkoglu and the striker converted, making it 2-0 on the night and sparking fears of a major comeback.

Forest responded with halftime changes; one of the substitutes, Callum Hudson-Odoi, finished low at the far post 22 minutes from time to restore safety on aggregate. Hudson-Odoi's strike — his sixth of the season — settled the tie at 4-2 across both legs, even though the night ended as a 2-1 defeat on the scoreboard. Omari Hutchinson later had a chance to level the night but was denied by Tarik Cetin after a clean through late on.

Three arrests, police investigation and stadium damage

Nottinghamshire Police made three arrests after a series of incidents during the home tie. A 37-year-old man was arrested after a flare was thrown by Fenerbahçe fans towards the home end. A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of entering the playing area at a designated football match. The match was delayed for several minutes in the first half while multiple flares were removed from the pitch.

Police are appealing for information and are investigating multiple reports of pyrotechnic use and criminal damage within the ground. A section of seating in the away end was discovered damaged after the game. Superintendent Louise Clarke said the force is analysing available footage and is conducting separate inquiries into each incident.

Pereira's rotation, in-game changes and squad notes

Vitor Pereira made six changes to the side after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, mindful of a Premier League trip to Brighton on Sunday. The manager said the rotation was a risk taken with the next Premier League game in mind. At half-time he made four further substitutions, withdrawing James McAtee and Ryan Yates among others and bringing on Igor Jesus, Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré to try to wrest control back.

The switch paid off when Aina's cross found Hudson-Odoi for the decisive goal in the 68th minute of the match. The manager framed the Europa League as an ambition to move forward, while also noting the team's discomfort in the Premier League table and the need to gather points to avoid a difficult situation.

Next fixtures, precedents and lingering questions

Forest will meet either FC Midtjylland — who beat them in October and were linked to a previous managerial fallout — or Real Betis, whom Forest drew 2-2 with in Spain during the league phase. The real question now is how the club manages squad energy after rotation and how authorities deal with the stadium incidents; both themes will shape the short-term agenda for the team and local policing.

• Mini timeline: 26 Feb, 2026 — second-leg at the City Ground; last week — first leg ended 3-0 in Istanbul; October — Midtjylland beat Forest, a result referenced in season context.
• Match stoppages: more than three minutes immediately after kick-off; a separate several-minute delay in the first half while flares were removed.
• Aggregate outcome: Forest progress 4-2 overall despite 2-1 defeat on the night; Hudson-Odoi scored his sixth goal of the season.
• Arrests: three people aged 37, 44 and 38 arrested on separate suspicions including flare-throwing, assaulting a steward and entering the playing area; police analysing footage.
• Forward signal: confirmation of the next opponent (Midtjylland or Real Betis) will set the Europa League last-16 route.

Here's the part that matters: the aggregate progression masks how fragile the night became — the flare incidents and three arrests mean the match will be scrutinised off the pitch as much as on it. It's easy to overlook, but the policing and stadium-damage inquiries could shape club relations and matchday procedures going forward.

Writer's aside: Crowd disturbances have repeatedly forced governing bodies to balance competitive fixtures with supporter safety; the current investigations are likely to test that balance in this case.