Galatasaray has launched a ferocious attack on referees in Turkey, accusing authorities of “evil” influence after their 3-0 victory over rivals Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig.
The dispute erupted during Sunday’s high-stakes Istanbul derby, with Galatasaray leading 1-0 at halftime.
On Sunday, the club aired its displeasure with the officiating in a series of posts on the social media platform X, saying they had been denied two penalties.
“Despite these referees, we’re still leading 1-0. “We see what you’re doing, your plans, the evil inside you. This order won’t go on like this,” Galatasaray said.
The comments sparked an immediate reaction given the intensity of one of Turkish football’s biggest rivalries, which often carries significant title implications.
Galatasaray went on to extend their lead in the second half, sealing a dominant 3-0 victory that moved them seven points clear of Fenerbahçe with only three matches remaining.
Victor Osimhen opened the scoring before second-half goals from Barış Alper Yılmaz and Lucas Torreira sealed the result.
Fenerbahçe’s frustrations were exacerbated by missing a first-half penalty and then being reduced to ten men after referee Yasin Kol sent out goalkeeper Ederson.
The inflammatory words come at a critical time in Turkish football, where refereeing has been a subject of contention.
Referee Halil Umut Meler was assaulted by club president Faruk Koca in 2023, resulting in the league-wide suspension of matches.
More recently, former Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho was fined and banned for questioning referee impartiality, and other clubs have staged walkouts in protest at officiating decisions.
Tensions have also risen off the pitch. Galatasaray’s president, Dursun Aydın Özbek, recently announced the suspension of all connections with the present Turkish Football Federation leadership.
Putting additional strain on the system, the Turkish Football Federation already disciplined 149 referees and assistant referees following an investigation into betting behavior involving officials.
With the title race nearing its conclusion, Galatasaray’s fresh remarks are expected to exacerbate already fragile ties between major clubs and match officials, assuring further scrutiny of refereeing standards in Turkish football.
