19.02.2025 16:00
It has now been confirmed that a foreign referee will officiate the Galatasaray - Fenerbahçe derby, which will be played on the evening of February 24, Monday. Following the statement from TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, a debate erupted among fans on social media.
The most important topic in the football agenda in Turkey has become the match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, which will be played on the evening of February 24, Monday, where it has been confirmed that a foreign referee will officiate. The radical decision has virtually divided fans on social media, with both supporters and opponents of the situation.
President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, who held a press conference at the TFF's center in Riva, made statements regarding the agenda.
Hacıosmanoğlu shared that a foreign referee will officiate the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby.
"The derby will be officiated by a referee of international caliber," he said.
'Last night, I had a long conversation with my teammates. From the very beginning, I trust our own referees. We have many friends among our referees who can officiate this match. We said we would make a decision based on the clubs' applications. My colleagues on the board gave me the authority as president. To put an end to these discussions and not to put our referee friends in a debatable position, the derby will be officiated by a referee of international caliber. The correspondence has been done, and confirmations have been received.' This decision, which will be a first in derby history, has sparked debate among football fans on social media.