Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahçe Super Cup match has been canceled!
Despite prolonged discussions with Saudi officials, no progress was made, and the decision to cancel the match was taken.
The Super Cup match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, planned to be played in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, faced a crisis before kick-off. Saudi officials did not allow the two teams to enter the field with banners and t-shirts featuring Atatürk.
Match canceled
Following the developments, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi, Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek, and Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç gathered. Despite prolonged discussions with Saudi officials, no progress was made, and the decision to cancel the match was taken.
Teams expected to return to Turkey
Following the cancellation of the Super Cup, it is expected that both teams will return to their home country.
No permission for banners
It was announced that Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray wanted to enter the field with a banner featuring Atatürk’s famous quote, ‘Peace at home, peace in the world,’ but this was not accepted by Arab authorities.
Fenerbahçe wanted to play with the 100th-anniversary kit
It is also claimed that Fenerbahçe’s request to play with the special kit themed around Atatürk, prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and worn in a match against Pendikspor this season, was not granted permission.
Fans wearing the 100th-anniversary kit were removed from the stadium
Fans who came to the match wearing the kit that Fenerbahçe had prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Republic and wore in a match against Pendikspor this season were reportedly removed from the Saudi stadium by stadium officials, warning them, ‘You cannot wear this kit in this stadium.”
Fenerbahçe taraftarı: "Formada Atatürk resmi var diye bize stada almadılar."
pic.twitter.com/uyKfYYc7Ml— Trivela Sports (@trivelaspors_) December 29, 2023
