Fenerbahce stated that the youth team’s decision to walk off during the Turkish Super Cup final against Galatasaray was made in order to uphold the truth.

Players of Galatasaray showed their sportsmanship by applauding the players of Fenerbahce as they left the pitch during the Turkish Super Cup football match between the two teams. The match, which took place at the 11 Nisan Stadium in Sanliurfa, Turkiye on April 07, 2024, was marred by controversy and protests.

Fenerbahce made the surprising decision to field their Under-19 team for the final and walked off the pitch early in the game. They claimed that they were defending the truth and protesting against perceived recent injustices. This move came after their request to postpone the match to prepare for their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie against Olympiacos was denied.

Galatasaray quickly took the lead with a goal from Mauro Icardi in the opening seconds of the game. It was at this point that the Fenerbahce team left the pitch, leaving Galatasaray to be awarded the victory after the match was abandoned.

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc expressed his frustration with the state of Turkish football at a press conference before the match, stating that it was time for a reset. The club was also protesting the decision to deny their request for a foreign referee, as they believed Turkish officials were biased towards their opponents.

Adding to the controversy, two Fenerbahce players had received one-match bans after clashes with Trabzonspor fans who invaded the pitch during a previous game. This incident further fueled the club’s dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.

The match was already under scrutiny when the original hosts, Saudi Arabia, refused to allow players to wear shirts displaying the image of Musafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, during their warm-ups. The match was initially scheduled to take place in Riyadh in September.

In a statement released on their official X account and website, Fenerbahce emphasized their commitment to Turkish sports and their history, as well as their millions of fans who share their national values. They vowed to continue standing tall as the world’s largest sports club.

Overall, the Turkish Super Cup final between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce was overshadowed by protests, controversy, and a premature exit from the Fenerbahce team. The match highlighted the deep-rooted issues within Turkish football and the need for change.