12.02.2025 09:30
The referee candidates for the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby have started to be determined. It is still uncertain whether a local or a foreign referee will officiate the big match. Despite Fenerbahçe's request for a foreign referee, the Turkish Football Federation's decision has not yet been finalized. If a local referee is chosen, Halil Umut Meler is said to be the favorite candidate. In the case of a foreign referee being appointed, the favorite is Szymon Marciniak.
The Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby, which is expected to determine the fate of the season in the Super League, is less than two weeks away. The question of which referee will officiate the big match is a matter of curiosity.
While Fenerbahçe has repeatedly expressed its request for a foreign referee for the derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has not yet made a decision. Here are the possible local and foreign referees who may officiate the big match...
If a local referee decision is made for the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe match, it is expected that the TFF will appoint an experienced name for this crucial match. According to Hürriyet's report, the favorite candidate in this case is Halil Umut Meler.
Atilla Karaoğlan has also been mentioned as the second candidate in the news details.
If a foreign referee decision is made, the favorite is Szymon Marciniak.
The Polish referee recently stated in an interview that he would be happy to officiate the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby.
It has been noted that, influenced by TFF Consultant Vitor Melo Pereira, a Portuguese referee could also be appointed for the derby.
It was emphasized that another Portuguese referee, Artur Soares Dias, could also officiate the big match.
Another possibility includes referees from Scandinavian countries in the FIFA elite category.
The candidates in this situation are Norwegian Espen Eskas and Swedish Tess Olofsson.
Slavko Vincic, the number one referee from Slovenia, the country of UEFA President Alexander Ceferin, with whom TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu has good relations, is also another candidate that draws attention.