What happened in Turkish football today? 11/04/2024

Fenerbahce keeps its semi-final chances alive after coming back from 3:0 to 3:2

Fenerbahce has kept its chances alive for semi-final of the Conference League thanks to the goals which did come out during last 30 minutes at the game where it provided very poor performance until 57th minute as it turned from 3:0 to 3:2.

Fenerbahce had pretty poor performance at the 1st half especially at defense as it allowed its Olympiakos to get control of the game and showing full control of the game despite of having lower possession than Fenerbahce and did provide right pressure. It could be look at first look that press which been shown by Olympiakos has led for Fenerbahce to create mistakes, but there was lack of concentration as Greek side had got into 3:0 in very easy manner and there has been scare that Olympiakos could make more mistakes. But it needs to be mentioned that after conceding 3rd goal and especially after scoring penalty from Dusan Tadic, Fenerbahce did come back into themselves with addition to introduction of Ismail Yuksek, Fred and Ferdi Kadioglu who has rose tempo and aggressive game to the game.

Coming to Olympiakos, they have provided very good performance during 1st half with providing strong pressure to Fenerbahce which forced them to make mistake and has used poor defensive game of opponent into its advantage. However, its been surprising to see for Olympiakos to lose concentration of the game after penalty kick.

Fenerbahce has made an important comeback against Olympiakos from 3:0 to 3:2 at away game and does provide some optimism for 2nd leg but it would be very important for team to not make same mistakes at defence during 2nd leg.

 Trabzonspor are being favourites against Sivasspor as it gets closer to its aim to end season at 3rd spot.

Trabzonspor will be resuming its race for 3rd spot as it would be side openning Super League 32nd week against tough opponent Sivasspor as it needs to be mentioned that Trabzonspor are coming out as favourite.

Trabzonspor with getting 6 points advantage over Besiktas for 3rd spot and also raising performance level of the team in recent weeks,it could be mentioned that team would be providing positive attacking game and would be aiming to show organising creative game in the field. It needs to be reminded however that Sivasspor has always been tough opponent especially to big 4 sides in the league and hence they would be aiming to prevent Trabzonspor to get an easy win.

With 7 weeks left in the season, Trabzonspor for sure would be aiming to win game to make one step closer for reaching its aim to end season at 3rd spot.

Galatasaray has won Turkish Super Cup officially

PFDK has made an expected announcement regarding of fate of infamous Turkish Super Cup between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray as it was officially announced that Galatasaray has won competition with forfeited result of 3:0.

It would be expected for Galatasaray to raise Turkish Super Cup prior or following Turkish Super League 33rd week game against Pendikspor as according to guidance ceremony must be taken place following closest home game. Fenerbahce meanwhile did make its actions with knowing that it would recieve such fine with only possibility where they might be unhappy is decision for 4,000,000 euro fine as compensation for organising this event towards TFF.

Decision did come out as expected with Galatasaray would now be waiting to lift Turkish Super Cup which been with full of scandals during this season.

Results:

UEFA Conference League, Quarter-Final, 1st leg:

Olympiakos 3:2 Fenerbahce

Aston Villa 2:1 Lille (winner of this tie will play with winner of Olympiakos-Fenerbahce tie at semi-final)

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 32nd week:

20:00 Trabzonspor -Sivasspor

In other news:

- Galatasaray has announced of profit of 608 million TL between 1st June 2023-29th February 2024

- Fenerbahce player Jayden Oosterwelde has completed season due of injury.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Liverpool player Joel Matip.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Juventus player Adrien Rabot.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Bayer Leverkusen player Patrik Schick.

- Rizespor head coach Ilhan Palut has stated that he is not worried about contract currently.

What happened in Turkish football today? 10/04/2024

Fenerbahce will need to stay focussed against Olympiakos.

Following very unusual night against Galatasaray during Turkish Super Cup, Fenerbahce would now focus into Conference League quarter-final 1st leg game against Olympiakos at the game and tournament it gets very seriously.

It needs to be mentioned that with Fenerbahce administration decision to be coming out with academy players during Super Cup game has provided opportunity at least physically to prepare for this game and taking account that team is aiming to end season with double it would be coming out for the team with only aim to get win at the game where it seems to be favourite. Stating that, with Conference League taking place in Athens this season could provide extra motivation for Greek side especially at home ground but Fenerbahce would need to stay focussed and provide positive game which it has shown for most amount during this competition.

Fenerbahce are being favourites in this tie but 1st leg is expected to be tough one so it would need to stay focussed and aim to show its organised game.

Fernando Santos will stay as head coach until end of this contract.

Besiktas administration has made it clear that it would stay loyal to 1.5 year contract with its head coach Fernando Santos and even through looking at things at the moment this might see as wrong decision in long-term it could turn to be right decision.

Besiktas as it is known has changed several coaches during this season and this without doubt did provide unease period for the team as it couldnt show strong and confident performance during whole season. So, therefore with team going through difficult period and also not having a perfect squad in all honesty, it would be seen impatient and wrong for not letting Fernando Santos to build his own squad during summer transfer window. 

Fernando Santos should be forgiven hence for this season but should be treated more critically during summer and next season by club.

Ramadan holiday is an opportunity for tensions to be reduced.

It needs to be mentioned that this Ramadan holiday period and until league would be resumed on 12th April, there is opportunity in Turkish football for tension to be reduced.

As it is known, during this season and especially starting from December, tension at Turkish football has been very high and it didnt been reduce since then however with Ramadan holiday which focusses into togetherness and not fighting period among forgiveness could reduce tension. It is unlikely that forgiveness would come due of such huge tension, but at least not harsh statements would be made in this period. 

Hopefully, tension would be reduced so much that when league resumes it wont be able to get high or at least very high in upcoming period.

Schedule:

UEFA Conference League, Quarter-Final, 1st leg:

19:45 Olympiakos - Fenerbahce

22:00 Aston Villa-Lille (winner of this tie will play against winners of Olympiakos-Fenerbahce tie at semi-final)

In other news:

- Sivasspor player Ali Sasal Vural has become injured.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Atletico Madrid player Gabriel Paulista.

- Trabzonspor has requested 6 million euro from Nantes for Eren Elmali.

- Besiktas aims to work with its head coach Fernando Santos until end of the contract.

- Roma are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Jayden Oosterwelde.

What happened in Turkish football today? 09/04/2024

Fenerbahce has been referred to PFDK after Turkish Super Cup events.

As was expected, Fenerbahce has been send to PFDK regarding of events which took place during Turkish Super Cup against Galatasaray as team has left field after 2 minutes as it is expected them to recieve fine and compensation value.

As been noted for several times, Turkish Super Cup actions of Fenerbahce has been unusual and has been aimed to send strong message towards TFF and until now in expected manner of course TFF has made first step with providing referral with such action. Taking account of how much TFF did prepare for game and deal to be made earlier, there is possibility of TFF providing very high fine but again this has been foreseen for sure from Fenerbahce as it did provide desperate measures at desperate times without doubt and hence also announce game to be forfeited with Galatasaray winning game with 3:0 scoreline.

To some outcome is present in this matter and only question is when TFF would provide Super Cup to Galatasaray.

TFF calls for election to be on 18th July.

Without doubt, most hated person right now at the Turkish football is being Mehmet Buyukeksi and for him calling definitely CEO election of TFF on 18th July has made most clubs unhappy with demand to call an early election.

TFF in all fairness does use Euro 2024 card for this date as it mention that it would be healthy to be making after tournament as Turkey would be participating and does in fact good opportunity to have great tournament. Apart of that, what makes other clubs unhappy is that election would be taking place short while before start of new season and would now let new administration to make changes at the federation and system before start of the season. Hence, signing of pettition towards an early election carry on as with 40% delegation signing will happen TFF would force to be having election within 30 days when petition is presented.

TFF is showing once again detirmination for having last word as this tend to be main reason of previous scandals but this time it might not work.

Galatasaray reported to trick Fenerbahce during game

There was interesting rumour surrounding infamous Turkish Super Cup where there is argument that Galatasaray were planning to throw ball to out as soon as game started and did throw ball to out. 

There was lots of questions before game has been kicked off and to some extend all expectations did come into reality as Fenerbahce did leave field at first stoppage of the game after Mauro Icardi goal. However, their talks that Galatasaray aimed to kick ball to out so Fenerbahce would leave but this didnt take place. If that is case, Galatasaray trickery could be worrying regardless if they support Fenerbahce or actions.

This issue might get some other twists as our blog would also follow all developments in this matter.

In other news:

- PFDK decisions: - Konyaspor has got partial supporters ban and 293,000 TL fine for events on field, behaviour of fans and not providing interviews. - Trabzonspor has recieved 412,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans and events on field. - Besiktas has recieved 620,000 TL fine behaviour of fans.

- Gaziantep has recieved partial blockage of stands for behaviour of fans. - Fenerbahce has recieved 160,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans and not following guidelines. - Antalyaspor has recieved 112,000 TL fine for events on field.

- Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler has been appointed for Europa League game between Liverpool and Atalanta. - UEFA has announced that referee for Conference League game between Olympiakos and Fenerbahce will be Sandro Scharer.

- AhmetNurCebi considering to become TFF CEO candidate for elections on 18th July.

- Besiktas player Cenk Tosun looking for club in Saudi Arabia and USA. - Celtic are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Ugurcan Cakir. - EintrachtFrankfurt are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Baris Alper Yilmaz. - Besiktas are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Yasin Ozcan. - Gaziantep player Denis Dragus agent Florin Manea has stated that Trabzonspor has provided great offer for player

What happened in Turkish football today? 08/04/2024

Fenerbahce has send strong message to TFF.

Turkish Super Cup game between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce would go into history as one of the most weird and unusual games in the history of Turkish and worldwide football as it only lasted for 50 seconds as side did come out of field after conceding goal from Mauro Icardi.

Fenerbahce which was planning boycott since game against Trabzonspor with showing direct protests towards TFF has led for side to come out into the field with academy players and were planning to leave field what it seems from first stoppage of the game as it did come following Mauro Icardi goal. It needs to be reminded that Fenerbahce regardless of high number of unhappiness from different parts did have pretty valuable reasons as team has been treated unfairly from TFF following match-fixing seson as it did get lots of attacks, prevention of winning game and has been under scandal which does raise some question of fair treatment towards club in recent years.

Fenerbahce did get lots of criticism for actions which they showed but it does look like this actions were need to be made to send an important message both to TFF and everyone involved with this system.

Clubs Union has started petition for TFF CEO election to take place as soon as possible

Following TFF announcement that it would be having CEO election on 18th July has raised even more tension and reaction for most amount of clubs from Super League as they call for election to be taking place as soon as possible with petition start among clubs.

It needs to be mentioned that unfortunately Turkish football during this season has been mainly remembered from scandals, Turkish Super Cup yesterday game been latest among them, and with TFF taking leadership role here it did recieve lots of criticism from football communities and hence is being unsuccessful. TFF meanwhile did play a cheeky role with calling election with 1 month for new season to be started and also didnt make any annoucement if there would be any plans to find solution for this issue in near future and hence call for fast action to be made with new move being signing of petitions for an early election.

Clubs Union does provide strong pressure and if  it gets 40% delegation sign TFF would be forced to have election after 30 days of signing documents.

UEFA arbitration committee has reduced away fans ban for Fenerbahce 

UEFA arbitration committee has informed Fenerbahce that its ban of fans for away games has been reduced to 1-game from 2-games with possible postponement for 2-years.

With Fenerbahce aiming to get to Conference League this season, this would be seen as good development as if it manages to get through Olympiakos at quarter-final it would be playing an away game with its supporters at semi-final which without doubt would provide some crucial help in the game if it does get to that stage. Hence, this development would be seen as good factor and could in fact be seen as best news which it did recieve in recent periods with so much things happen with themselves and TFF in recent weeks.

Fenerbahce would now focus to go through Olympiakos as it being tough tie but still team is being capacity to go through.

In other news:

- Trabzonspor player Paul Onuachu has recovered from his injury.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Borussia Dortmund player Mats Hummels.

- Rizespor are interested to transfer Viktoria Plzen player Lukas Kalvach.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Stuttgart player Deniz Undav.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Dinamo Zagreb player Bruno Petkovic.

- Besiktas has offered extension contract to its player Necip Uysal until 2027.

What happened in Turkish football today? 07/04/2024

Fenerbahce has left field at Turkish Super Cup against Galatasaray after 1 minute right after Mauro Icardi goal.

Fenerbahce has kept its word for not completing game against Galatasaray during Turkish Super Cup after 60 minutes and right after it has conceded goal from Mauro Icardi in propbably most unusual and infamous actions.

As it was known and has been stated for long time at Fenerbahce front that side would forfeit this game as it did come into field with academy players and as Fenerbahce administrator Erol Bilecik has stated that game will not be completed for 90 minutes. With Fenerbahce coming to game with 11 players unless with 9 players and did look it would be coming to game but after conceding goal from Mauro Icardi it has left with players. It also needs to be mentioned that such action has been criticised by Turkish media, ex-Fenerbahce administrators and supporters but to some extend it was been clear that desperate measures needed to be made from team. Meanwhile, Galatasaray did start with low tempo for game due of psychological matter very likely but then players did have training sessions.

Fenerbahce has made unusual and infamous decision to postpone which did mark its spot at world history among Turkish one as it would be remembered by one unusual and harsh actions by any team.

Besiktas are looking for alternative names for Fernando Santos.

Due of poor results in the recent weeks, future of the Besiktas head coach Fernando Santos is being unclear as club administration did have meeting with Santos regarding team's recent performance and results on 5th April.

Besiktas administration with leadership of Hasan Arat, which needs to be mentioned does provide some serious signs of being impatient as team did have meeting with Fernando Santos regarding team general performance and results stating that team would need to provide performance which supporters would be satisfied with and look like players are giving full effort and hence fighting spirit. It needs to be mentioned that Santos does tend to play more secure game and does get result with minumum scoreline so it would be interesting to see how administration are demanding from coach which doesnt provide such game.

Still, despite of all that it does look like team would end contract with him in summer as it started looking for new candidates in recent days. 

Trabzonspor interested to sign Can Bozdogan

Trabzonspor which aims to strengthen its squad signficantly for next season is reported to showing an interest towards Utrecht player Can Bozdogan as player didnt recieve much playing time in Eredivisie this season.

With Can Bozdogan getting limited amount of time at Besiktas few years ago it does need to be mentioned that despite of not playing too much, Can Bozdogan did become better player in this duration of time and still has some serious place for development and potential and hence such move from Trabzonspor could play an important role for strengthening squad. Therefore, this could be an important addition for them if it would be taking place in summer.

Trabzonspor does look to be one of the most anticipated team in transfer period in upcoming summer and all developments regarding Can Bozdogan and transfers will be followed on our accounts.

Results:

Turkish Super Cup:

Galatasaray 1:0 Fenerbahce(Game has been forfeited after Fenerbahce has left on 2nd minute due of sign of protest)

In other news:

-Eyupspor has been promoted Super League with 5 weeks to go after beating Altay with 4:1 scoreline

- TFF will have an CEO election on 18th July.

What happened in Turkish football today? 06/04/2024

Fenerbahce plans to show big protest during Turkish Super Cup.

Turkish Super Cup 2023 between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce which arleady got infamous reputation following events at Riyadh back in Christmas has once again got unwanted twist of events as Fenerbahce aims to protest this game on 7th April.

It is confirmed that Fenerbahce would be coming to the game with academy players as sign of protest and there are strong rumours following statements from Fenerbahce administrator Erol Bilecik that game will not be competed that team is aiming to come out into game with 9 players and after with 3 players living field due of injury which would mean that game will not be completed and game will be forfeited but this action would not bring any fines and bans to the team. Alternative rumours which are going around also include that Fenerbahce players will not come into field at all, players will come out go through pre-game ceremonies and after kick-off whistle would leave field or not touch ball.

Whatever, Fenerbahce decides to do which includes completing game against Galatasaray which would come out with full squad it is clear that that it would be unusual and historical night.

Galatasaray has prepared to game as nothing happening outside of field.

In other side of the coin, it is known that Galatasaray are preparing to the game as if nothing is happening on Fenerbahce front as it sees this game as Turkish Super Cup final and would be playing with its best squad.

Galatasaray possibly in right manner has focussed into game in the way as if Fenerbahce would be coming out with its main squad and would show its strong game which to some extend could mean that if Galatasaray would provide right focus and academy players of opponent will decide to play for 90 minutes, it would provide lots of issues and provide strong pressure to Fenerbahce goal possibly with very confident result. There is possibility of course that Galatasaray quite naturally would reduce tempo of the game with showing respect to youngsters at opponent during the game but there is no sign of that when game will be played on field.

We would see in the evening what would happen in Sanliurfa but whatever does as it mentioned it would be strange unusual night to everyone who would be involved with game.

Brentford are interested to transfer Haris Hajradonovic.

Brentford are showing an interest to transfer Kasimpasa player Haris Hajradonovic which has been showing as followers of Turkish football would know strong performance in Super League for long time.

Even through Brentford could be seen as modest team when looking at Premier League level of football, it is still being an important possibility for Hajradonovic as it would be his highest move in his career and be able to show his performance to whole Europe as when looking at clubs which he did play in the Super League in all fairness he did have limited chance to mark his spot. Taking account as been noted that Brentford is being most club there would not be much pressure about of playing at England and hence he would be able to show his skills in good manner if transfer would take place. 

As always, our blog would follw all developments which would happen with this transfer in upcoming days as summer is getting close.

Schedule:

Turkish Super Cup:

21:30 Galatasaray-Fenerbahce

In other news:

- Besiktas has won friendly game against Istanbulspor with 2:1 scoreline

- Antalyaspor CEO Sinan Boztepe: There is no positive or negative progress regarding future of Sergen Yalcin in our club. He is now in Istanbul due of health issues, when he will return we will have talk with him

-- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Gaziantep player Denis Dragus.

- Brentford are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Haris Hajradanovic.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Inter Milan player Joaquin Correa.

What happened in Turkish football today? 05/04/2024

Besiktas continues showing ineffective game.

Besiktas continues showing ineffective performance as it didnt manage to win game 4 weeks back-to-back which is mainly due of team providing too much defensive game since appointment of Fernando Santos.

Besiktas continues showing poor game and not fast tempo which would be expected from fans as it carried on doing so against Basaksehirspor as it did slow down tempo following which did come on 16th minute which led for team to concede on last minute of the game due of its ex-player Emirhan Ilkhan. Besiktas hence doesnt provide much strong performance as it aims to show defensive game with Fernando Santos which is being tactical game of him for years.

Besiktas hence continues showing ineffective performance at the field playing for low score and with such logic it does look like it would carry on  conceding goals on last minute.

Fenerbahce does bring some crucial actions for Turkish Super Cup.

It is still unclear if Turkish Super Cup between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce game would be taking place or be competed due of latter statements that game might not be even completed.

Fenerbahce administrator Erol Bilecik when announced that Fenerbahce would be coming out with academy players also mentioned that game would not be completed as it raises questions how that action would be completed with talks that Fenerbahce might get into 6 players during which game would need to  be postponed automatically and Fenerbahce will not be getting ban so in protest wise this could be seen as best option for Fenerbahce. With Galatasaray coming with full squad it would be unusal game for sure as there is possibilty also that Fenerbahce will not even start game or be there at kick-off but would leave field after first whistle.

Fenerbahce has arleady made an important mark with decision to come with academy players but it looks there would be even more harsher actions after first whistle.

Arbitration committee has reduced supporters ban of Trabzonspor to 4 games.

Following request from Trabzonspor to reduce supporters ban following Super League game against Fenerbahce to reduce from 6 games has been approved as TFF has reduced it to 4 games.

There was expectation following complaints and reactions following decisions of PFDK to reduce Trabzonspor supporters ban from 6 games to few games and with Trabzonspor sending complaint directly to TFF, in short period of time arbitration committee has met up and showing goodwill towards team and also due of reactions and defence line has reduced ban to 2 games less, announcing it to be 4 games. With reaction from Trabzonspor it could be stated that this has satisfied them as their made statement that justice has been made. 

Trabzonspor did find 6-game ban to be too harsh and did go in their own rights and with getting reduction to 4 games it could be mentioned that it did get what it seeked for more or less.

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:

- Gaziantep, Besiktas has been referred for behavioru of fans.

- Antalyaspor has been referred for events on field.

- Konyaspor has been referred for events on field, behaviour of fans and not following guidelines.

- Trabzonspor has been referred for behaviour of fans and events on field.

- Fenerbahce has been referred for behaviour of fans and anti-sportmanship behaviour.

- Fenerbahce administration has decided not to attend press conference prior to Turkish Super Cup and will arrive to Urfa 3 hours before the game.

- Fenerbahce has made profit of 225 million TL between 1st June 2023 and 29th February 2024.

- Ankaragucu player Alper Uludag has become injured.

- Flamengo are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Tete.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Sinan Karweina.

- Sevilla are interested to loan Real Madrid player Arda Guler