Fenerbahçe takes a stand for change in Turkish football, walking out of Super Cup final

Fenerbahçe, a Turkish soccer club, decided to make a statement by calling for a “reset of Turkish football” during the Super Cup final against Galatasaray on Sunday. They took a bold step by staging a walkout just one minute into the game, ultimately conceding the trophy.

In a surprising move, Fenerbahçe chose to field an Under-19 team for the match. However, their protest became more apparent when they decided to withdraw from the game after Galatasaray’s Argentine striker Mauro Icardi scored a goal.

In a long statement before the Super Cup match, Fenerbahçe president Ali Koç explained that the club's rebellion was fueled by what they saw as unfair treatment over the past 20 years.

Trabzonspor fans attack Fenerbahçe players.

Serkan Hacioglu/dia images/Getty Images

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Koç stated that it is time to rebel against injustices, inequalities, double standards, unfair competition, and labor theft in Turkish football.

He also emphasized the need for a reset in Turkish football, highlighting the importance of draining the swamp and rebuilding the industry.

In a post-match video, Galatasaray's deputy chairman Erden Timur expressed his wish that the match could have been played without any disruptions. He emphasized the importance of ending the ongoing tension quickly. Various incidents are currently occurring, with both sides claiming injustices. These injustices are taking place on the field, and it is crucial to address them.

“Transparency is key in order for each and every segment of society to be informed about whether these injustices occurred or not.”

Galatasaray players celebrate their unusual Super Cup victory.

Galatasaray players celebrate their unusual Super Cup victory.

Stringer/Reuters

CNN has contacted the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to get their comments on the matter. According to the state news agency TRT, the TFF will be the one to make a decision regarding the abandoned Super Cup match. The proceeds from the match were supposed to go to the victims of the earthquake that occurred in southern Turkey last year.

Recently, Turkish football has been facing a lot of chaos with a number of high-profile incidents.

On Wednesday, the TFF made a decision to impose a six-game spectator ban on Trabzonspor's home matches and fines totaling around $13,977 (448,000 Turkish Lira). This action was taken after fans ran onto the pitch and attacked Fenerbahçe players who were celebrating their 3-2 victory in a Süper Lig match back in March.

Fenerbahçe held a meeting on April 2 to discuss the violence in the Trabzonspor game. They initially considered leaving the top-flight league but later decided to postpone this decision until July.

In December, the president of Ankaragücü, a top-flight Turkish soccer club, resigned after physically assaulting a FIFA-licensed referee. There have been multiple protests regarding referee-related decisions in recent months.

Trabzonspor, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe have all asked for TFF president Mehmet Büyükekşi and the current board to step down.

The TFF has set a date for a general election, called an “elective general assembly,” on July 18. It is unclear whether this election is for the president position only or for the entire leadership of the federation, as reported by TRT.

Editor's P/S:

Fenerbahçe's bold protest during the Super Cup final highlights the deep-rooted issues plaguing Turkish football. Their walkout, fueled by perceived unfair treatment, serves as