Fenerbahce’s Protest at Super Cup Final
Fenerbahce made a bold statement during the Super Cup final against Galatasaray by walking off the pitch in protest against the Turkish Football Federation.
Background
The club decided to field a starting line-up composed entirely of youth team players for the final, leaving their first-team stars back in Istanbul for an upcoming Europa Conference League tie.
The Incident
Just one minute and 41 seconds into the game, Fenerbahce players left the field after Mauro Icardi’s early goal, leading to the team forfeiting the match.
Reaction
Galatasaray celebrated their victory enthusiastically, while Fenerbahce did not acknowledge the final on their social media platforms.
Club Statement
In a statement, Fenerbahce president Yildirim Ali Koc emphasized the need for a reset in Turkish football, calling for impartiality, fair competition, and sporting ethics.
Previous Incidents
Fenerbahce’s decision to play academy players was influenced by a previous incident where their players were attacked by Trabzonspor fans, resulting in sanctions against the Super Lig club.
Club Actions
Following the incident, Fenerbahce held a meeting with members to request a rearrangement of the final with a foreign referee, a request that was denied by the TFF.
Call for Change
The club’s members also voted for Fenerbahce to abstain from the Turkish Cup for two seasons unless fielding an academy team, and urged FIFA and UEFA to take action against the Turkish football governing body.
