Turkish football manager uses crane to watch game after stadium ban (VIDEO)

A Turkish football manager, who was banned from a stadium, resorted to hiring a crane in order to hoist himself high enough over the stone wall to watch his team’s playoff game.

Hamit Isik, who manages the third division team Corum Belediyespor, decided to defy the 285-day stadium ban from his own club’s matches, which he received after having a heated altercation with a referee during a league match, Turkey's Hurriyet daily reports. There was crowd trouble during the same game.

The incidents led to a hefty fine of 33,500 Lira ($13,000) for Isik and his team having to go through the ordeal of playing the first leg of the playoff without him or any fans to watch and support the players.

The ousted fans joined in to watch as well, although their vantage point was a little less original than Isik’s – they took in the action on a screen outside the stadium.

Despite all the uproar, the game ended with a 0-0 score, meaning all bets are now on the return leg.