26.08.2026 20:20
Galatasaray Club criticized the TFF's decision regarding the foreign player rule for Ziraat Turkish Cup matches. The red-yellows said, "Football is being managed according to individuals," and claimed, without naming a team, that this decision was made to protect Fenerbahçe.
Galatasaray Club reacted very strongly to the new foreign player rule regulation change announced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for the Ziraat Turkish Cup.
CLAIM OF SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR FENERBAHÇE
In the statement made through official channels, it was argued that the decision was biased, and it was implied, without naming them, that special treatment was given to their arch-rival Fenerbahçe.
'TURKISH FOOTBALL IS MANAGED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUALS'
In the statement from the yellow-red club, it was reminded that the TFF had turned a deaf ear to the demands of clubs in the past, and the following expressions were included: "The change to the 2026-2027 Season Ziraat Turkish Cup Competition Regulations announced today by the Turkish Football Federation is a new indication that Turkish football is managed not by rules, but according to circumstances and individuals."
Galatasaray's statement is as follows:
"The change to the 2026-2027 Season Ziraat Turkish Cup Competition Regulations announced today by the Turkish Football Federation is a new indication that Turkish football is managed not by rules, but according to circumstances and individuals.
We are watching with astonishment the sudden about-face of those who repeatedly stated, 'We have made a decision regarding foreign players, we made this decision long ago, and everyone will comply with it,' who rejected all our club's requests and applications on this matter last season without properly evaluating them, and who turned a deaf ear to us despite our repeated warnings about the drawbacks the regulation would create.
Back then, we repeatedly stated that this regulation would turn our country into a breeding ground for big European clubs and would condemn Turkish clubs to paying high transfer fees. However, our warnings were not even taken into consideration.
It is very clear that this decision was made not to protect the common interests of all clubs, but rather to produce a solution for the circumstances of one club and, as it were, to throw that club a lifeline. Names change, administrations change, but unfortunately, the mentality that protects and supports this club does not change."