21.02.2025 15:50
Galatasaray, Sloven referee Slavko Vincic's appointment for the Fenerbahçe derby has reacted by inviting UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to the match. The yellow-reds wanted Čeferin to witness what would happen by attending the big match. However, the UEFA President declined the invitation, stating, "I will not be able to come to Turkey due to the intensity of my work."
The echoes of the appointment of Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic for the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby, which will be played in the 25th week of the Trendyol Super League and will directly affect the championship race, continue. The yellow-reds, who reacted strongly to the decision, took a highly talked-about action by inviting UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin to the derby. Ceferin has responded to this invitation.
GALATASARAY INVITED TO THE DERBY
Galatasaray invited UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin to the derby, which will be officiated by Slavko Vincic, who is also Slovenian. The yellow-reds conveyed this request to Ceferin through a letter. In the letter, they asked the UEFA President to come to the derby and witness the events that will unfold.
CEFERIN RESPONDED NEGATIVELY
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin responded negatively to Galatasaray's derby invitation. Galatasaray, which sent an invitation to Ceferin with a note saying, "We invite you to the derby to witness the events," received the response, "I will not be able to come to Turkey due to the intensity of my work."
WHY DOES GALATASARAY NOT WANT VINCIC?
After Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı met with Slovenian Aleksander Ceferin, the Galatasaray management, which is dominated by the view that Slavko Vincic was appointed from the same country, does not want Vincic due to Ilıcalı's ownership of the Maribor Club in Slovenia. The 45-year-old referee, who was born in Maribor, also has close ties with UEFA President Alexander Ceferin, who is also Slovenian.
TFF REJECTED THE REQUEST
Meanwhile, Galatasaray communicated to the Turkish Football Federation that they did not want Slavko Vincic after the developments that occurred yesterday, and the federation rejected the yellow-reds' request. The TFF informed the clubs that it would not respond to the requests of both teams regarding the foreign referee to be appointed for the derby, and that the final decision would be announced to the public through the official site by the TFF and MHK. Today, it was officially announced that Vincic would officiate the derby.
WHEN IS THE DERBY?
The Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby in the 25th week of the Trendyol Super League will be played on February 24, Monday, at 20:00 at RAMS Park.