Sunday’s Turkish Super Cup was abandoned after one minute of play as Fenerbahce walked off in protest at alleged unfair treatment, handing rivals Galatasaray the trophy.
Having seen a plea to postpone the game rejected, Fenerbahce – who face Olympiakos in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday – fielded an under-19 side for Sunday’s game.
Mauro Icardi gave Galatasaray the lead in the opening minute, with Fenerbahce’s young players then walking off and causing the game to be abandoned.
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Turkish Super Lig holders Galatasaray then celebrated winning the trophy, while Fenerbahce pledged to “stand tall” and “defend the truth” in a statement.
The Turkish Cup holders said: “When we take to the field not to win but to defend the truth, we want to summarise our attitude as this: Serving Turkish sports with its 117-year history not only in football but in every branch we compete in, and feeling the national values of this country with its 30 million fans.
“We will continue to stand tall today and tomorrow, as we did yesterday.”
Kazanmak için değil doğruları savunmak için sahaya çıktığımız bugünde, tavrımızı özetlemek adına vurgulamak istediğimiz şey şudur ki;
“Sadece futbolda değil yarıştığımız her branşta 117 yıllık mazisiyle Türk sporuna hizmet eden,
müzesinde alınterinin, emeğin izlerini taşıyan…
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) April 7, 2024
Fenerbahce have long railed against perceived unfair treatment from the Turkish Football Federation.
Citing unfavourable decisions from Turkish referees, the club asked for foreign officials to be brought in for Sunday’s match, also requesting it be moved forward to give them additional time to prepare for Thursday’s trip to Greece. Both requests were denied.
Last week, Fenerbahce members voted against a proposal to withdraw from the Super Lig, which came after Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch to attack their players after a 3-2 win for the 19-time champions last month.
Chairman Ali Koc has suggested another vote on the issue could be held at the end of the season, with the club also angered by players Can Egribayat and Jayden Quinn Oosterwolde receiving one-match bans for clashing with supporters at the end of the Trabzonspor game.
Şanlıurfa Hatıяası 💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/JllPHrzJSu
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) April 7, 2024
