Batistuta said: "I was provoked it's true to say that. However I should not have reacted as I did in front of the television cameras."
As punches flew police with batons separated the two sides but Galatasaray's Emre Asik was seen attacking an officer.
Afterwards 13 officers and three Turkish players needed treatment for cuts and bruises but no serious injuries were reported.
Extra police were also drafted to the ground in case trouble spread to the terraces where 1,000 Turkish supporters were kept behind to prevent disturbances.
Police also questioned several Galatasaray players last night and this morning reports suggested they had wanted to arrest several but had decided against it and let the team fly home.
Galatasaray coach Mircea Lucescu said: "We're not the ones who are bad. Italian squads usually have a habit of blaming other players and they always have to be the ones who are right."
Italian media reports said the Turkish government had summoned Italy's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and his counterpart in Rome, Necati Utkan, was also demanding an explanation.
A police spokesman said: "The matter is being investigated and we've asked UEFA for the names of all Galatasaray's squad."
UEFA's disciplinary panel will discuss the incident at its meeting on 28 March.
