There are often no lengths a true fan won’t go to see their favorite sports team play. But for one soccer fan in Turkey, it turns out no heights could keep him away from the action.
Ali Demirkaya has earned the nickname “Yamuk Ali” or “Irregular Ali” for finding a clever, elaborate way to see his favorite soccer club, Denizlispor, play at Denizli Atatürk stadium in Denizli, Turkey. After having been banned from the stadium for a year, for unspecified reasons, he rented a crane to watch the game from high above the stadium walls — sparking a viral reaction from other diehard sports fans.
Banned Turkish football fan hires crane to watch his Denizlispor team play pic.twitter.com/8JpnBTuB93
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) May 1, 2018
A Turkish football fan called “Irregular Ali” was banned from his team’s stadium for a year but that did not stop him. He rented a crane and watched until the police intervened :) pic.twitter.com/pkLuTldCLb
— Hilâl Kaplan (@HilalKaplanEng) April 29, 2018
— Football Funnys (@FootyFunnysUK) April 28, 2018
Unbelievable scenes
Denizlispor fan received a 1-year ban from their stadium, so he went ahead and rented a crane to watch the game vs Gaziantepspor.
from @BirGun_Gazetesi pic.twitter.com/vV6UKIJzs9
“That match was very important for our team,” he explained to Yeni Asir newspaper. “I had to go to the police station to sign a paper to show that I am not watching the match in the stadium. Then I quickly went to rent the crane.”
According to Demirkaya, the crane rental cost him $86.
During the game, “Yamuk Ali” waved his Denizlispor scarf and led fans in a cheer as he bounced up and down in the crane’s basket. But, eventually, the police arrived on the scene and forced Demirkaya to lower his crane.
Although he couldn’t see the whole game, Demirkaya was probably still happy in the end. Denizlispor shut out Gaziantepspor, 5-0.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.