Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce: Turkish Super Cup final in Saudi capital of Riyadh postponed

Turkish Super Cup final between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh postponed due to «disruptions in the organisation» with some fans already in the Al-Awwal Park Stadium; match coincided with the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the secular Turkish Republic

Friday 29 December 2023 20:28, UK

The Turkish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia has been postpone due to «disruptions in the organisation», the Turkish Football Federation, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have confirmed.

Turkish media has been reporting on Friday about ongoing disagreements between the Saudi Arabian and Turkish Football Federations (TFF) over how the clubs would be able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their country and the TFF's creation.

According to AP Sport, various media publications in the country said Fenerbahce and Galatasaray players wanted to wear shirts pictured with modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk during the warm-up in Riyad but were not authorised by the Saudi organisers.

In a joint statement, the clubs and TFF said: «In order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Republic and the Turkish Football Federation abroad, we organise with our clubs in a way that will contribute to the brand value of Turkish Football and our clubs.

»The 2023 Super Cup competition, which was planned to be played on Friday December 29, 2023, at 20.45, has been postponed to a later date as a result of the joint decision we made with our clubs, due to some disruptions in the organisation.

«We would like to thank the Football Federation and relevant institutions and organizations of the host country for the efforts they have made so far in the organization of the Super Cup.»

The oil-rich kingdom has moved in recent years