The Turkish Super Cup final between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray ended in chaos after Fenerbahçe players walked off the field just 101 seconds into the game, following an early goal by Galatasaray. The goal was scored by Argentine forward Mauro Icardi, who was set up by Barış Alper Yılmaz. Fenerbahçe had decided to field its under-19 team for the match as a protest against alleged unfair treatment by Turkish soccer authorities. The abrupt departure of the Fenerbahçe players led to Galatasaray being declared the winner, with celebrations starting earlier than expected for Icardi’s team. Fenerbahçe president Yıldırım Ali Koç called for a “reset” in Turkish football, citing past injustices.
Two Fenerbahçe players, İrfan Can Eğribayat and Jayden Oosterwolde, were recently banned for one match by the Turkish soccer federation following an incident in a Superlig game against Trabzonspor. After the final whistle, Trabzonspor fans had stormed onto the pitch, leading to sanctions for both clubs. Trabzonspor was ordered to play six games without fans as a punishment. Fenerbahçe is scheduled to face Olympiakos in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarterfinals on Thursday, and the team had reportedly been unhappy with the timing of the Super Cup final just before this important match against the Greek side.
The decision by Fenerbahçe players to abandon the Super Cup final so early in the game drew whistles from the fans in attendance at Sanliurfa GAP stadium. The move highlighted the tensions between the club and Turkish soccer authorities, with Fenerbahçe clearly seeking to make a statement against what they perceive as unfair treatment. The president of the club, Yıldırım Ali Koç, emphasized the need for significant changes in Turkish football and called for a “reset” to address the alleged injustices that have accumulated over the years.
Galatasaray, the declared winner of the Turkish Super Cup, benefited from the early exit of the Fenerbahçe team and celebrated their victory on the field. The unexpected turn of events resulted in a quick and somewhat anticlimactic end to the match, with Galatasaray securing the trophy without much on-field action. The controversy surrounding the final and the actions of the Fenerbahçe players have sparked discussions within the Turkish soccer community about the issues raised by the protest and the need for reform and fair treatment for all clubs.
The ban imposed on Fenerbahçe players following the incident with Trabzonspor fans added to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the club. The sanctions and subsequent protest in the Super Cup final have shed light on the challenges facing Turkish football and the ongoing disputes between clubs and authorities. As Fenerbahçe prepares for their crucial Europa Conference League quarterfinal match against Olympiakos, the focus remains on the need for transparency and fairness in the sport, as well as the potential impact of these recent events on the team’s performance and morale moving forward.
The Turkish soccer federation’s handling of the situation and the aftermath of the Super Cup final will likely lead to further discussions and debates within the Turkish football community. The actions of Fenerbahçe players and the response from Galatasaray and other stakeholders have underscored the deep-rooted issues in the sport that need to be addressed for the benefit of all clubs and players. As the focus shifts to upcoming matches and competitions, the repercussions of this incident are expected to resonate throughout Turkish football, prompting calls for reform and a more equitable approach to governing the sport.
