What happened in Turkish football today? 31/12/2023

Galatasaray has dominated 2023 year.

When looking into 2023 calendar year at overall it could be stated confidently that Galatasaray has been best team at the Turkish football as it won league title on previous season, continues leagues at top with Fenerbahce at same points and did show some good performance at Champions League despite ending season at 2nd spot.

As it is remembered, Galatasaray did have pretty poor season during 2021-22 season and hence on previous summer it has build team which would both show strong results at domestically and Champions League. All of this preparation has paid cost during whole 2023 as it had strong and undefeated run which it has shown in 2nd half of previous season and won title with 2 weeks prior to end and also dominated domestically. Lion share of this success could be given to head coach Okan Buruk and its star player Mauro Icardi who did found great goals when it needed most. Despite of ending group at 3rd spot below Bayern Munich and Copenhagen it did show very organised performance at most time at Champions League.

Coming to 2024, it could be stated clearly  that team would be aiming to carry on such strong and confident performance domestically at title race with Fenerbahce and look positively to Europa League.

Fenerbahce had confident year especially during 2nd half of it.

It could be noted that Turkish football at club level has been dominated by 2 teams, as with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce has also very successful year especially during this on-going season but it needs to be reminded that ended previous season at 2nd spot and winning Turkish Cup.

Despite of ending previous season ar 2nd spot and Turkish Cup as been noted, it still needed to make side to be much more stronger so it could be running for title. Starting from July until October Fenerbahce had an incredible run of 19 games both in Europe and domestically with beating back-to-back teams until it has met with Trabzonspor. With having strong performance from Edin Dzeko, Szymanski, Tadic, Ferdi Kadioglu and Fred who did come to team in good condition and seemed to be adapted fast to team style has played an important role. Despite of losing 2 games at Conference League including against Nordsjaelland it still did make clear one of main favourites to win title.

Fenerbahce hence does have high aims for 2024 both domestically and at Conference League as it aims to make historical year.

Turkish National Team had shown confident performance especially with Vincenzo Montella.

Even through Turkish National Team did have downs during 2023, it could be stated confidently that Turkey did have a great 2023 especially after Vincenzo Montella has been appointed to team.

One of the main aims of the Turkish National Team has been to get ticket to the Euro 2024 which would be taking place at Germany and it has shown performance at qualification stage according to that. As been stated in our blog before hand, Stefan Kuntz regardless of criticism from Turkish sports media and also some unconvincing performance he still did get play an important role for side to get into Euro 2024. However, after appointment of Vincenzo Montella there was clear that team has been more motivated and confident which did affect performance of the team during whole game with providing strong character which would have positive impact to Euro 2024.

With Euro 2024 taking place at Germany and strong togetherness and confidence among team at national team,it could be ended pretty good year for Turkish National Team.

In other news:

- Antalyaspor has made deal with Sergen Yalcin for 1.5 years for head coach position

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer PSG player Renato Sanchez.

- Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech considers to leave team during mid-season transfer window.

- Genoa and Fiorentina are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Samet Akaydin.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Hellas Verona player Koray Gunter.

- FatihKaragumruk and PAOK are interested to transfer Besiktas player Jean Onana.

- Napoli are interested to transfer Al Ahli player Merih Demiral.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer West Ham United player Thilo Kehlel

What happened in Turkish football today? 30/12/2023

Not allowing showing Ataturk messages is not acceptable at all from Saudis

Both Turkish government and Saudi organisers Riyadh World has made statement regarding scandal during Turkish Super Cup stating that Turkish National Anthem and flags would be allowed to be used but there wasnt allowance for political messages send on accordance to FIFA and UEFA rules.

Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce hence has refused to come into field when Saudi organisers and authorities didnt allow supporters and clubs to make any visual display and mention of Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It needs to be stated here that for seeing Ataturk as political message especially taking account that Fenerbahce were planning to come out with message that calls for peace in the world with message "Peace at home, peace everywhere" does raise question how would make unconfident for Saudi authorities apart of some historical messages. Ataturk is being hence red line for Turkish community and couldnt be prevented his love, admireness and support in any circumstances. Hence,it is unclear how this TFF administration could see if fine and agree with Saudis demands. 

Hence, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray has might decision as they did what TFF could do as it was in all honesty after money.

Saudi Arabic political arguments shows how bad-will they are towards matter.

Another factor which needs to be taking attention in such unacceptable actions from Saudi Arabic authorities is to throw blame to both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce stating that this decision has been political.

Saudi Arabic organisers of an event Riyadh World and also according to their local media showing it as political event just shows less likely ignorance but more likely its attitude to Turkish norms, cultures and beliefs especially towards Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Requests from both clubs has been in the place and are not being political at all and hence putting some political issues and following this with connection of not following guidelines is just being absurd. Turkish National Team has been providing signs of admiration to Kemal Ataturk norms and beliefs and also during club teams and has never recieved any fines or criticism from FIFA and UEFA.

It is unacceptable for Saudi Arabic authorities to connect its thoughs Ataturk into political aspects without doubt does show into bad will of them without doubt.

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have been biggest winners at the Super Cup incident.

When looking at the long run of the incident at the Turkish Super Cup incident has been without doubt both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray due of strong strength which both clubs has taken.

It needs to be mentioned that Galatasaray and Fenerbahce has done much more than did TFF during this events as TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi has done everything for game to be played and after TFF didnt make deal with Saudi Arabic authorities it has aimed to convince Galatasaray and Fenerbahce to come into field. Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce as would been expected did decline such offer making it clear that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is being red line and hence has shown strong character.  With taking such stance it has got big support from all the supporters in Turkey and send strong message to Saudi Arabic that without any mentions of Ataturk will not be accepted at any circumstances.

At short, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce did right action and compare to TFF has send right and strong message to Saudi Arabic and got huge points at the end of the day. 

In other news:

- Fenerbahce player Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kasimpasa player Kenneth Omeruo, Sivasspor player Ahmed Musa, Trabzonspor player Paul Onachu and Hatayspor player Fisayo Dele Bashiru has been selected to Nigerian National Team for African Cup of Nations.

- Trabzonspor player Trezeguet and Pendikspor player Ahmet Hassan has been selected to Egyptian National Team for African Cup of Nations 2024.

- Antalyaspor head coach Nuri Sahin has ended contract with team.

- Ankaragucu player Alper Uludag is expected to recover from injury for 6-8 weeks.

- Galatasaray considers to terminate loan contract with Tanguy Ndombele.

-Sivasspor has terminated contract with its head coach Servet Cetin.

- Gremio has started transfer negotiations with Besiktas player Vincent Aboubakar.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Bahia player Matheus Bahia.

- FatihKaragumruk has terminated contract with its player Otabek Shukurov.

- Sivasspor are interested to appoint Bulent Uygun as club's head coach.

- AdanaDemirspor has terminated contract with its player Kevin Rodrigues.  

What happened in Turkish football today? 29/12/2023

Saudi Arabia has shown disrespectful actions to Turkey prior to Super Cup.

Saudi Arabic organisors of Turkish Super Cup game at Riyadh has provided disrespectful actions towards Turkish nation with announcing that pancards of Ataturk and T-shirts which would be displayed and wore by team will not be acceptable.

What makes this action of events more surprising is that an offer to host Super Cup in Saudi Arabic did come from their side and despite of that this has happened which does raise question without doubt and this brings into mind an issue of how Saudi Arabia has allowed to host tournament which is connected to Turkish Football Federation. It needs to be stated that regardless where this game would been played, this being a game into custody of Turkish Football Federation and hence should be played into conditions and wishes of Turkey. One of the other questions has been that both if Turkish Football Federation has signed into agreements with had clauses of not displaying any signs of Ataturk and Turkey, than situation is even much worser and should lead for TFF to make actions which includes resignation. 

TFF did make a statement stating that due of some glitches between sides date of Turkish Super Cup into upcoming dates which without doubt has been very light and indirect statement.

It is unclear how TFF and Saudi Arabic made deal with such conditions.

As been noted on previous section, there are some serious questions about if such unacceptable demands has been given from Saudi Arabic organisers especially why this game has been allowed to be taken place at first place.

As it is known, there has been lots of criticism and discussion for Super Cup to be played at first place in Saudi Arabia as Turkish Republic has been celebrating its 100th anniversary and oldest rivals at the Turkish football. Questions which has been arised if Saudi Arabic side has included or stated for Turkish Football Federation for any signs of Turkey and Ataturk symbols not to be used and if that has been case why it has been allowed by TFF. In other words, we are seeing serious contractions from Saudi Arabic as it did both offered to organise such tournament and afterwards has cancelled themselves. With this in mind, TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi did state that Azerbaijan has offered for tournament to be hosted but due of finances resons has been declined. With cultural, historical and root connection between both sides, it is clear that Azerbaijan has provided much better organisation with accepting and most importantly respecting factors of Turkish culture.

Saudi Arabia and TFF has shot on their own foot with such disrespectul actions and everyone who is responsible of this should be paying all prices.

Mehmet Buyukeksi should resign immideately.

TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi and his administration team needs to be resigning immediately due of accepting such organisation given by Saudi Arabic and keep on pushing it even if some parts didnt want for game to be played.

TFF administration has made statements when an issue for changing location and protesting rising that, it has forcefully pushing statements that it would be playing game in Saudi Arabic keep on discussing about financial issues. If TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi and everyone has accepted such issues which been mentioned by Saudi Arabia and ignoring national interests of the country because of finances of any issues. In whatever circumstances, TFF needs to be resigning without any excuses, reasons, blaming game and take all responsibility with acting like muppet doll of Saudi Arabia and putting interests, culture, history and national traditions on the side. 

Mehmet Buyukeksi reign, especially after being elected, is being full of scandals, lack of showing disrespect to clubs at Super League, affecting into rise of tension between clubs and also referees and now such totally unacceptable event taking place. There is only thing left to do for him and that is to resign.

Results:

Turkish Super Cup:

Galatasaray P-P Fenerbahce(Game has been postponed due of unacceptable demands from Saudi Arabia regarding Turkish culture, norms and beliefs)

In other news:

- Besiktas has terminated contract with its player Eric Bailly.

- FatihKaragumruk has loaned Cremonose player Andrea Bertolacci.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Louis van Gaal as club's head coach.

-Panathiakos considers to offer 1 million euro for Trabzonspor player Bakasetas.

- AdanaDemirspor has terminated contract with its player Younes Belhanda.

- Antalyaspor administrator Alkan Evrin has announced that Borussia Dortmund has made deal with Nuri Sahin.

What happened in Turkish football today? 28/12/2023

Fenerbahce would be expected to be showing much more effective game compare to league game.

Following very dull derby game between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray which has ended with goalless draw at the Super League both sides would be playing once again, this time at Turkish Super Cup at Saudi Arabia.

It needs to be stated that Fenerbahce does have some areas where it would be coming in better and confident manner as one of its players Edin Dzeko would be expected to be physical better condition as he did go through an injury a week before league game. Another factor of Fenerbahce would been for its midfielder player Fred would be available at the game and this addition could possibly raise tempo and attacking game of the team and find solutions to good defensive game which Galatasaray did show at the league game. Still, playing at neutral position and different importance of team would be needed for Fenerbahce to seek game as it could be finding an opponent more aggresive and hence role of defence would be especially important for them.

Fenerbahce is expected to be more creative at this game compare to league game but it would be dependant also how opponent would defend.

Galatasaray would be likel focus more into midfield area.

Galatasaray it needs to be stated did show pretty strong confident defensive game during Fenerbahce game but it lack creativity at the attack as Kerem Demirbay did take leading role with shots from far from goal.

This time, Galatasaray would be needing to find different kind of game with providing much more aggresive attacking game and aim to overpass defensive game taking account that its not entirely strongest side. With Fred being back into field, Galatasaray would also focus into more different tactical game at that area with aiming to prevent Fred to feel confident and this could be moving defensive line into further from goal. Also, Mauro Icardi who possibly feels to be affected from bruise which he did get on previous game and would be specific mask would need to improve his performance compare to league game and provide much more aggresive game. Galatasaray would also need to focus into more creative attacks as mentioned.

Galatasaray would need to provide some different tactics as its performance in league game against opponents didnt provide much result in attack.

Samet Aybaba made clear issues which Besiktas are having right now.

During press conference Besiktas administrator Samet Aybaba has made clear regarding some issues which team is going through especially difficulties with appointing new coach and condition of transfer.

Aybaba did state that team is aware of that squad is not being very good and signing players during previous transfer window who would heavily travel to African Nations Cup has been done very difficult and now team would be seeking to find ways to make deal with current players making clear which like to stay and which would like to leave. He also admits that due of unclear situations of transfers it is difficult to make deals with coaches who would like to see strong and clear plans of organising club which are being absent as team has difficulty to plan future.

Hence, Aybaba has made clear issues which are present right now at the team but as been mentioned it would be difficult part to solve effective solutions which Aybaba and whole Besiktas administration would need to focus now.

Results:

Turkish Super Cup:

20:45 Galatasaray-Fenerbahce

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Gaziantep has recieved 80,000 TL fine and blocks of stands for behaviour of fans.

- Pendikspor has recieved 500,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans. 

- Ankaragucu has recieved 140,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans.

- Besiktas has recieved 112,000 TL fine for events on field.

- Fenerbahce has recieved 312,000 TL and blockage of stands for events on field, behaviour of fans and statements about referees.

- Fenerbahce administrator Can Gebetas, Selahhatin Baki, Galatasaray and its administrator Erden Timur recieved 200,000 TL for statements about referees.

- Galatasaray has offered 114,000 TL for behaviour of fans

- Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech will not play at Turkish Super Cup against Fenerbahce due of injury.

- Besiktas player Vincent Aboubakar has been selected to Cameroon National Team for Africa Cup of Nations 2024 

  - Hatayspor head coach Volkan Demirel has stated that he would be staying in club.

- Fenerbahce head coach Ali Koc has stated that it would been better to appoint foreign referee to Turkish Super Cup game against Galatasaray.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27/12/2023

 Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca has been released from prison.

Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca following an attack to the referee of the Super League between Ankaragucu and Rizespor game Halil Umut Meler has been set free from prison as his case would continue without him being outside of custody.

There is still expectation for Faruk Koca to be recieving serious punishment due such an attack but this decision for getting out of custody for Koca does raise some serious worries about final decision which he would recieve. It also needed to be stated that this decision has been come after discussion about such an issue has been dropped down and general public reaction has been reduced. However, there would be expected from same public to be still requesting to recieve harshest possible punishment there is possible and it would be interesting how would Turkish criminal case act on this issue.

As it is known, TFF disciplinary committee has provided lifetime ban to Faruk Koca and similar decision would be expected to be given towards Koca by criminal case.

Besiktas considers to freeze contract of injured Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain. 

It is reported that Besiktas are considering to freeze contract of its player Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain for rest of the season as it is expected for him to be recovered from injury for 4 months.

Even through this blog did criticise Besiktas for making reactive decision and not being very productive for finding solution, it needs to be mentioned that this action could be most in place as it is planned to open space for some more transfers especially for foreign players as it is being into limited. With Besiktas not having very ideal squad which it would be expecting from them this could be able to sign some good players and make much more competitive squad in return.

With decision still not to be made, this blog would be following all of the developments in this matter.

3 Premier Leagues are interested to transfer Szymanski

According to transfer rumours, three Premier League giants are interested to sign Fenerbahce player Sebastian Szymanski who is showing outstanding performance in this season at his club.

Named clubs which  are interested to Szymanski has been Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United which shouldnt be very surpsising as Szymanski has become one of the key players at the team and with making very important goal contribution during this season and hence playing an important role for side to be on top spot, it should be expected for big clubs including those 3 clubs to be showing such interest. However, Fenerbahce is being focussed to win long-awaited title, Fenerbahce would not be considered to sell him so easily and would request for high salary and hence it does look like this 3 clubs and any other would need to spend some cash if it wants to sign him.

Hence, it could be expected during this mid-season transfer window clubs which are interested to sign Szymanski needs to do lots of convincing works to sign him.

In other news:

- SergenYalcin has stated that he didnt recieve any transfer offers from Besiktas until now.

- AndreBreitenreiner: I am very proud to recieve offer from Besiktas. But with going through an offer I have decided to decline offer.

- Panathinaikos are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Bakasetas.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Jagiellonia player Bartlomiej Wdowik

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Jagiellonia player Bartlomiej Wdowik

- Besiktas considers to freeze contract of its player Alex Oxlade Chamberlain as he is not expected to recovery before 4 months.

What happened in Turkish football today? 26/12/2023

 

Besiktas ends calendar year with good win against Hatayspor.

Besiktas has ended 2023, which had lot of downs for them, with a confident and good win against Hatayspor with caretaker coach and normally under-19 coach Sercan Topraktepe as side did provide confident performance.

It needs to be mentioned that with Besiktas going through 3 coaches changes, all the time team did start with a good win which does show that players could be extra motivated in such condition and certainly it would not be needed to read too much this win. Stating that, Besiktas did manage to win for 3 weeks and hence this also being last game before 2024, it could be providing good motivation and confidence for 2nd half of the season. Besiktas are expected to appoint new coach in upcoming 10 days and new coach would get hence problematic but at least bit motivated team.

Besiktas still has some issues which it would need to solve in upcoming period with priority being new coach and transfers.

Hatayspor doesnt consider to end contract with Volkan Demirel.

Hatayspor has announced that it doesnt consider to end contract with its head coach Volkan Demirel who made speech following Besiktas game which sounded like a farewell.

Even through Volkan Demirel post-game talk did sound like resignation, it would need to be stated that it was his reaction for his game as side even through not showing good performance as it did in start of the season, it is still doing good job.With Volkan Demirel knowing difficulties as it is being team which been affected from earthquake on 6th February it is playing without doubt in difficult conditions and hence there are many things which even Volkan Demirel might have issues of solving. Therefore, this farewell talks could be more related into emotionality of not very effective game.

Hatayspor has done right job for providing such support to Volkan Demirel who did so much for this club without doubt since earthquake took place in city.

Trabzonspor are interested to sign Besiktas player Eric Bailly

It is reported that Trazbonspor are showing some strong interest towards Besiktas player Eric Bailly during mid-season transfer window,

With Eric Bailly being among players who were taking out of squad by new administration, Trabzonspor are trying to use such transfer opportunity to its advantage. It needs to be mentioned that Bailly even through didnt provide much memorable performance, he didnt recieve lots of playing time and also general issues at the field has affected negative to him. In fact, Eric Bailly tactical performance could be more suitable for Trabzonspor style of play and hence move to team could be win-win situation for both club.

It does look like this transfer rumour would be among discussed in mid-season transfer period and we would follow all developments at our accounts.

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:

- Gaziantep, Kayserispor, Pendikspor, Ankaragucu has been referred for behaviour of fans.

- Fenerbahce has been referred for behaviour of fans, not following guidelines, events on field and statements about referee.

- Galatasaray has been referred for for behaviour of fans, not following guidelines and statements about referee.

- Fenerbahce administrators Can Gebatas, Selahattin Baki, Galatasaray administrators Dursun Ozbek, Erden Timur for statements about referees.

- Besiktas been referred for events on field.

- TFF has announced that Super League 19th week game between Istanbulspor and Fenerbahce will be played at Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

- Basaksehirspor has made transfer deal with Olivier Keman.

- Besiktas administrator Tarkan Ser has resigned from his post.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Tottenham Hotspur player Rodrygo Bentancur.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Besiktas player Eric Bailly.

- Basaksehirspor has made transfer deal with Josef de Souza for 1.5 years.

-Sivasspor are interested to transfer FC Balkani player Armend Thaqi.

- Villarreal, Las Palmas and Celta Vigo are interested to transfer Real Madrid player Arda Guler.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Atalanta player Juan Musso.

- Besiktas didnt make deal with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Bruno Genesio and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for head coach role.

- Antalyaspor CEO Sinan Boztepe has stated that club would focus to transfer 3 players during mid-season transfer window.

- Kocaelispor are interested to transfer Kayserispor player Hasan Ali Kaldirim.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25/12/2023

Besiktas ends problematic year with a win.

Besiktas has ended year 2023, which in overall and specifically during this season didnt go very well for them, with a win against one of toughest opponents Hatayspor and this taking account that it came out to game without coach.

Without doubt, Besiktas did come out to game with an aim to bounce back both from loss on previous week and also to provide some optimistic message in its last game of the year and provide some optimism for 2024. It also needs to be mentioned that even through main focus as usually is giving to title race and hence other clubs are being put into 2nd spot, it needs to be mentioned that it still fights for top 4 spots to get European football next season. Coming to game it has been specifically eye-catching for 18-year old Semih Kilicsoy pretty good goal with Omar Colley making goal scoreline to 2:0 scoreline. Only negative part could be given for conceding goal on 80th minute which did provide some worry for side for last 10 minutes.

Looking into condition of Besiktas and also Hatayspor being in good motivation during this season, for some people Hatayspor has been seen as favourite but team couldnt provide strong reaction to side. 

Besiktas most important has won game without having main head coach as players without doubt has shown strong set-mind which helped them to win such an important game in sense of confidence and motivation.

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray didnt create much chances at the game which been played 43 minutes on the field.

Game between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray which been anticipated for weeks, didnt provide a very exciting game and has been uneventful apart of 45 fouls which were given and 43 minutes has been played in total of the game.

When analysing teams seperately as we do in this blog during derby games, it needs to be stated that both teams has played similar game and hence same analysis could be given to both sides. In fact, it would be hard to difficult to analyse game where there has been only 1 shot into goal. Fenerbahce it needs to be stated did show some signs of attacking game during start of the game but during that time it wasnt able to create anything and as game has been progressed it started showing slow and defensive game in similar manner as did Galatasaray. Fenerbahce as Galatasaray did show good defensive game in overall but hardly created any chances with only good opportunity coming at 70th minute from Szymanski. 

When looking at title race, it could be stated that draw would been bad outcome for Fenerbahce as it has played at home and didnt use good opportunity to win game. 

Mauro Icardi position has been most talked even from derby game

Since as been noted, when analysing Galatasaray during this derby game it could be noted that similar things could be said about Fenerbahce and vice versa and hence it would be more productive to focus into penalty which wasnt given.

There has been lots of discussion especially from Galatasaray position where Mauro Icardi penalty position it wasnt given. There seems to be argument that if position has been enough for penalty but it needs to be mentioned that camera angles is being not very clear as different cameras show different perspective of the chances. Stating that, it tends to be case at Turkish football that after derby games, there seems to be more actions than during game itself especially when games are dull. When looking at overall referee it was seen that referee has been whistling every position which led for total of 43 minutes game play which did come once again from pressure which is given towards referee. 

This game does show that more relaxation needs to be given towards referee as this would bring extra pressure to referees which would lead to more whistles for foul.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 18th week:

Alanyaspor 3:1 Samsunspor

Kasimpasa 2:2 Rizespor

Hatayspor 1:2 Besiktas

Pendikspor 1:1 Ankaragucu

In other news:

- TFF has announced that referee of Super Cup between Fenerbahce and  Galatasaray will be Abdulkadir Bitegen

- Galatasaray administrator Erden Timur: Mistake during yesterday derby game has direct impact into title race. There were also other mistakes during game. We would for our rights until end.

- Besiktas CEO Hasan Arat has stated that new coach would be announced soon and players who are out of squad players fate would be decided by new coach.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Salernitana head coach Filippo Inzaghi and Leonardo Jardim.

- TFF Arbitration committee has reduced ban of Trabzonspor CEO Ertugrul Dogan from 45-days to 31-days.

- Besiktas are having transfer negotiations with Sergen Yalcin for head coach position.

- Trabzonspor player Mislav Orsic has stated that he would return to Trabzon on January as he is going through recovery in Croatia for his injury.

- Kayserispor has terminated contract with its player Olivier Keman.

- Besiktas has offered 2.5 million euro for Adana Demirspor player Yusuf Sari.

- Two main candidates for Besiktas head coach role are being Bruno Genesio and Sergen Yalcin.

- DamacFC are interested to transfer Besiktas player Vincent Aboubakar.

- Besiktas are close to make deal with Quique Setien for head coach position.

What happened in Turkish football today? 24/12/2023

Both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray has provided very dull game

Prior to Super League 18th week game between two dominant teams has been raised high of expectations from everyone but it ended up being pretty dull game with lack of any chances and had in total of 45 fouls.

It needs to be stated that both sides has been played not to lose game and has been mainly focussed into defensive game which has prevented for both sides to create lots of opportunities and also has provided high number of the fouls as there has been almost one foul every 2 minutes of the game. Fenerbahce especially has lacked with creating chances during 1st half of the game and did make lots of mistakes with assists as both sides did play long passes which lacked high number of the chances. Still, Fenerbahce with introducing Ismail Kartal did rise some tempo of the game and has created some opportunities especially with Szymanski but apart of that chances it still not been specifically close into scoring crucial goals. Fenerbahce as opponent did do good defensive game but didnt provide similar game at attack.

Galatasaray on their part has provided similar performance as did Fenerbahce and hence similar arguments and comments could be made on their perspective with only aspect that its defence of such game could be noted as it was playing an away game while Fenerbahce has been played at home. It needs also to be mentioned that Mauro Icardi has been showing pretty ineffective performance with hardly getting any chances with only chances has been questionable position at the penalty position. In fact, leading role which been taken by team has been Kerem Demirbay who has shot some shots from far from goal but all of them went on top of the post as he did close especially one chance being specifically close for goal. Still, as been noted Galatasaray would be more satisfied with this result as it gained 1 point from away game.

Both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray has provided similar defensive game as game been completed with 45 fouls which has led for game to be ended with goalless draw. For now, most football fans would be expecting more exciting game at the Super Cup game on 29th December.

Trabzonspor needs to improve attacking game during this break if it wants to win games.

Trabzonspor has got a draw against Basaksehirspor at its home ground with 1:1 scoreline, as team didnt provide much pressure to its opponents and still lacks showing strong attacking game which Trabzonspor needs to get a win.

Both due of quality of the Trabzonspor squad and also tactical game of Abdullah Avci who is known to be coach to be focussing into defensive game, there has been big focus into defensive issues which to some extend does lead for side to get lots of draws. Avci might see this draws as positive as signs of not losing but if it wants to get at least European spots draw would be seen as same as losing games if it happens frequently. Trabzonspor without doubt would need to focus into transferring quality attacking players who would be able to integrate into system in short notice if it wants to get positive results.

Trabzonspor as been noted are getting poor results and main focus during this small break is to find ways how to make team more attacking.

Besiktas are being at huge crises without doubt.

Without doubt, Besiktas is club which is being at the highest crises situation when looking into both things which are taking place both inside and outside of the field and it would be ending 2023 without doubt with one of the most difficult away games.

With Besiktas CEO Hasan Arat since being elected for his post has made some drastic changes with putting 5 players out of squad and ending contract with Riza Calimbay with  only 1 game left until mid-season break. Among those issues there are some injuries at the team and also incredible lack of self-belief and motivation absence. In this physical and mental condition it would be playing against Hatayspor which being side which aims to show its top performance during this season and hence would without doubt coming out with extra motivation. With all this taking account, Hatayspor does seem to be favourite for game due of spirit it has as side.

Besiktas are going through crises as been noted and it would need to find ways to concentrate fully to Hatayspor game which could be pretty tough for them.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 18th week:

Konyaspor 2:0 Kayserispor

Adana Demirspor 2:1 Antalyaspor 

Fenerbahce 0:0 Galatasaray

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 18th week:

17:00 Alanyaspor - Samsunspor

17:00 Kasimpasa - Rizespor

20:00 Hatayspor - Besiktas

20:00 Pendikspor - Ankaragucu

In other news:

- Galatasaray administrator Eray Yazgan has stated that he would send complaint to TFF regarding penalty position on 22nd minute between Djiku and Mauro Icardi.

- Besiktas player Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had an operation due of injury.

- AdanaDemirspor player Andreaw Gravillon has terminated contract with his team for not recieving payment on time

- Most clubs has stated that there are against play-off system at Super League during meeting between Clubs Union and TFF

- PAOK has made principal deal with Besiktas player Valentin Rosier

What happened in Turkish football today? 23/12/2023

Trabzonspor continues showing ineffective performance.

Trabzonspor continues its undefeated run as it either gets wins or losses with Abdullah Avci but with its current condition it is at standings and also 3-point system it needs to be mentioned that draw would be seen as loss.

It needs to be mentioned that supporters of Trabzonspor has also been of poor performance of the team both in this game as Trabzonspor did provide very strong resistance to Basaksehirspor even through it did show fast response after conceding goal. It also has been noted that team does lack creativity during game as side hasnt been played hardly with chances. Trabzonspor continues to be showing strong attacking game and this should be solved during mid-season transfer window either tactically or with transfers or more likely with both.

Basaksehirspor in fact looked to be more effective especially during 2nd half as side does provide some signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Trabzonspor didnt end calendar year of 2023 at the way it was hoping for but at least it was able to identify some weaknesses which team has right now.

Fenerbahce needs to find solution for replacement of Fred.

Without doubt one of the most important games during this season and most important during 1st half of the season is being Fenerbahce and Galatasaray as there are being two sides which are being at incredible form and have been only 2 sides which do seem to be fighting for league title.

Both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are providing its best performance during Super League season and it needs to be mentioned that Fenerbahce would be coming out at its home ground with supporters which are being as expected extra movitated and confident performance with side providing strong and confident performance. There are being at the team both good and bad news with good news being that Edin Dzeko as has been expected did attend to training session and would be able to play at  starting 11. Meanwhile, red card of Fred during previous game would mean that he would not be attending at this game and taking account that Fenerbahce has only won 1 game out of 5 when he is not being unavailable does provide some issues. Coming to game tactics big role would be given towards defenders as there would need to be extra careful with Icardi.

Fenerbahce as been noted does have an advantage of playing at home but it would need to find solution with Fred being absent tactically.

Galatasaray needs to raise tempo to get result from Fenerbahce

Galatasaray would be coming out to Fenerbahce where it is continuing its winning run with continuing its exciting race with opponent for race for the top spot but it needs to be mentioned that it continues some lack of performance.

As been mentioned at the previous section, one of the key players during game would be Mauro Icardi and Fenerbahce would be needed to be taking extra focus towards him but it needs to be mentioned that Icardi does show some decline of performance on the field. Stating that Mauro Icardi could be providing extra motivation towards this game which would be enough to raise performance of the star player. Galatasaray would also provide an extra effort in the midfield aiming to start effective attacks at the weakest point at Fenerbahce due of absence of Fred. Galatasaray main absences is being Sergio Oliviera who went throug operation while fast recovery of Davinson Sanchez and Hakim Ziyech are continuing to make sure he would be ready.

Galatasaray would be coming out in confident manner to Fenerbahce but it would need to provide more fighting and high tempo compare to previous few games if it wants to get win.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

Sivasspor 1:0 Istanbulspor

Fatih Karagumruk 0:3 Gaziantep

Trabzonspor 1:1 Basaksehirspor

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

13:30 Konyaspor - Kayserispor

16:00 Adana Demirspor - Antalyaspor

19:00 Fenerbahce - Galatasaray

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Gaziantep has recieved 240,000 TL fine for accepting unallowed fans.

- Gaziantep administrators Muhammed Kaplan, Cuma Yildiz has recieved 15-days of deprivation of rights for allowing unallowed fans to stands.

- Adana Demirspor has recieved 80,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans.

- Galatasaray, Istanbulspor, Trabzonspor has recieved blockage of stands for behaviour of fans.

- Istanbulspor recieved 3:0 recorded loss and 3 point deduction for not completing game.

-  Kayserispor, Fenerbahce has recieved 112,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans.

- Fenerbahce player Mert Hakan Yandas has recieved 2-game ban and 78,000 TL fine for anti-sportmanship actions.

- Fenerbahce player #Fred has recieved 3-game ban and 39,000 TL fine for action towards referee.

- Sivasspor CEO Mecnun Otyakmaz recieved 200,000TL fine for statements about referees. 

- Trabzonspor CEO Ertugrul Dogan: Our view hasnt been changed regarding referees and TFF administration. We are waiting some changes and would act upon it, but so far we dont see any action from them. We are having talks with Anthony Nwakaeme.

- Juventus player Kenan Yildiz scored his 1st goal at Serie A becoming youngest non-Italian goalscorer at the club history

- Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech has resumed training sessons after recovering from injury.

- OleGunnarSolskajer: I did recieve an offer from Besiktas but it is still unclear if its short-term offer or its aimed as project. If its project, I would be considering.

- Galatasaray considers to take off Ndombele, Angelino and Sergio Oliviera out of squad for UEFA list.

- Fenerbahce and Galatasaray has set bonus for derby win as 150,000 TL

- Galatasaray send request to Leipzig to rise transfer option of Angelino from 20 to 30 games.

- Besiktas has offered 1.5 year contract to Bruno Genesio.

- Galatasaray has made sponsorship deal with Yunsa for right sleeves at football shirt.

What happened in Turkish football today? 22/12/2023

Besiktas players seems to be in big decline psychologically.

Besiktas as it has been noted has continued its decline with its performance in the league during this season this time losing to Alanyaspor with 3:1 scoreline which to some extend has been unexpected outcome. Meanwhile, following the game head coach Riza Calimbay has been sacked.

Besiktas performance in recent weeks has shown even more decline as with new CEO Hasan Arat being elected to position, rather then being a solution to the team has been even more, with reasons of this would be discussed lower in the blog. Coming to the game, it needs to be mentioned that main reason why it conceded such simple goals has been due of lack of concentration towards end of the game and also possibly of lack of self-belief at the players. Besiktas try to play good game and some players does show some good-willingness but the issue seems to be mentally at the team and it doesnt look it would be solved anytime soon. 

Hence, Besiktas decline with performance is being continued right now and its time for team to start finding solutions rather than focussing into problems.

Trabzonspor aims to provide good game against Basaksehirspor

Trabzonspor would be coming to the last game of the calendar year of 2023 against Basaksehirspor as without doubt it would be aiming to end season at high note and possibly give some optimist for 2024.

Both sides are showing performing way below there was expecting, even through both sides does show some improvement in recent weeks. It also needs to be mentioned that even through Trabzonspor directly was involved in the incident, it did come out from Istanbulspor which brought another scandalous actions and hence it would be interesting how mentally players would be able to respond. With playing at home Trabzonspor are favourites but there would need to show some creative game at attacking game which it still not at best form.

Trabzonspor are favourites when looking at form but Basaksehirspor would aim to give some issues to  team.

Besiktas acts on problems dramatically but doesnt find solution to it.

Besiktas CEO Hasan Arat administration up to now is seems to be identifying issues and providing dramatic actions regarding it but so far it didnt much show any solutions to this issue. As saying goes, its easy to break but difficult to build, and this seems to be case.

Besiktas so far has identified one of the reasons of decline with performance with 5 players who believe dont give their best performance so they decided to put them out of squad. With poor performance of Riza Calimbay during 5 games it also identified an issue with coach and has ended contract with him even through it was going to end automatically on 27th December. With Calimbay statements it also  clear that way he has been sacked has been done in unprofessional manner. Right now, Besiktas is failing to come out with strong squad due of injuries and this 5 players who are out of squad and will also be without coach at least for game against Hatayspor. Besiktas are currently in crises and chaos and it does seem like current administration is making issue more problematic.

Besiktas seems to be identifying issues and acting upon on that but doesnt provide any solutions of them. Longer it continues to do so bigger chaos and issues at team would arise for sure. 

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 18th week:

13:30 Sivasspor - Istanbulspor

16:00 Fatih Karagumruk - Gaziantep

19:00 Trabzonspor - Basaksehirspor

In other news:

- CAS has approved 2 transfer ban to Samsunspor.

- Besiktas has been referred to PFDK for behaviour of fans.

- Ankaragucu has send request to arbitration committee to reduce fines and bans it recieved from PFDK regarding incident during game against Rizespor.

- Besiktas player Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will not be able to play for 4 months due of injury.

- Besiktas under-19 coach Serdar Topraktepe will be taking place of caretaker coach.

- Trabzonspor has announced that it would be decided if its player Abdulkadir Omur injury condition on 23rd December.

- Fenerbahce player Edin Dzeko has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- Besiktas are having negotiations with Andre Breitenreiter for head coach position.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Isparta 32spor player Alp Tutar.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Dinamo Minsk player Dusan Bakic.

- Galatasaray has send request to RB Leipzig to raise transfer option of Angelino loan deal from 20 games to 22.

- Trabzonspor player Nicolas Pepe has recovered from injury.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Adana Demirspor player Younes Belhanda.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Sergen Yalcin and Slaven Bilic as club's head coach.

- Fenerbahce will got to arbitration committee regarding fine given to its player Fred.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Fatih Karagumruk player Can Keles.

- Fenerbahce considers to sell its player Mert Hakan Yandas during mid-season transfer window.

- Villarreal are interested to transfer Besiktas player Eric Bailly.

What happened in Turkish football today? 21/12/2023

Besiktas continues its downfall with losing this time to Alanyaspor

Free fall at Besiktas seems to be continuing as it lost to Alanyaspor with 3:1 scoreline at home ground with providing very simple goals with providing very simple mistakes.

Even through some pundits around Turkey did expect Besiktas to get good result as Alanyaspor has been having a bad form, it would be argued that Besiktas not winning at would not be seen as big surprise as Besiktas is providing very poor performance. However, even with that taking into account for Besiktas losing in such manner with conceding simple amateur goals would not been expected and acceptable. Besiktas even with appointment of new administrative team doesnt seem to be much involvement and lack of players wanting to show top game has been visible.

Alanyaspor without doubt did come out in right mind-set towards game and to some extend did use all issues which Besiktas are going through into its own advantage. This win for sure would provide needed confidence and motivation for team in future game.

Besiktas continues showing poor performance and it needs to find solution  if it doesnt want to make such bad season into much worser in upcoming games.

Fenerbahce won game but lost Fred.

Fenerbahce has got an important win against Kayserispor with scoreline of 4:3 but did lose probably its main key player Fred prior to derby game which does provide some worries to Fenerbahce supporters.

Coming to the game, it needs to be mentioned when looked how Kayserispor does perform during recent weeks, it was expected to be difficult game and Kayserispor without doubt did show that it is being at 3rd spot prior to game wasnt accident. Stating that, it wasnt very good start of the game as it did concede on 8th minute and later found 2nd goal. But afterwards, when getting behind with 3:1 scoreline, Kayserispor without doubt did show strong character as it did make scoreline 3:3 with being highly focussed. Fenerbahce meanwhile did play partly well and during that moments it did find goals in fact but in overall it did lack tempo and dominance at the game. Meanwhile, it needs to be stated that Mert Hakan Yandas getting 2nd yellow cards after only entering on few minutes didnt only do harm to himself but also to Fred as he tends to raise tension in most time at needless moments.

Fenerbahce hence did win an important game but it did miss its key player prior to one of the most important games of this season.

Galatasaray has won despite being far at its best form

Galatasaray has also won game prior to derby game against Fenerbahce with single goal from Kerem Akturkoglu but it needs to be stated that has been very far from its best performance. 

In fact, it needs to be stated that goal did come from luck as shot from Hakim Ziyech did bounce back from Fatih Karagumruk which led for Kerem Akturkoglu to be on right time and hence providing shot which did bring goal. Galatasaray has been affected from unexpected loss from Copenhagen even through it needs to be stated that performance of Galatasaray has been visible at the game against Copenhagen with Mauro Icardi also being player which does have reduction of peformance. Fatih Karagumruk even through didnt statistically had many chances did look very organised at defence preventing Galatasaray to get into dangerous chances. Also it could have ended game with 1:1 scoreline but ball which was going into goal has been touched by Serdar Dursun who was at offside.

Galatasaray didnt show its best performance but did get an important win prior to very important derby game against Fenerbahce

Results:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

Rizespor 5:1 Pendikspor

Samsunspor 1:1 Konyaspor

Ankaragucu 0:0 Hatayspor

Besiktas 1:3 Alanyaspor

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:

- Istanbulspor has been referred for behaviour of fans, leaving field and not following guidelines.

- Istanbulspor CEO Ecmel Faik Sarilioglu has been referred for not following guidelines and anti-sportmanship actions.

- Istanbulspor administrators Muhammet Mete, Halil Saral, Trabzonspor CEO Ertugrul Dogan and administrator Kaya Yamak, Gaziantep worker Muhammed Kaplan, Cuma Yildiz for not following guidelines.

- Gaziantep has been referred for accepting unallowed fans.

- Adana Demirspor and Galatasaray been referred behaviour of fans.

- Kayserispor for events on field.

- Fenerbahce for events on field and behaviour of fans.

- Fenerbahce player Fred for actions.

- Fenerbahce player Mert Hakan Yandas for anti-sportmanship actions

- Sivasspor CEO Mecnun Otyakmaz statements about referees

- Fenerbahce and Basaksehirspor has announced that there are against European Super League.

- TurkishNationalTeam is being located at 37th spot with 1505,28 points at FIFA World Ranking for December.

- TFF and Sivasspor has announced that there are against European Super League.

- Besiktas has announced that it is against European Super League.

- Spartak Moscow considers to offer 10 million euro to Besiktas for Vincent Aboubakar.

- Trabzonspor considers to sell its player Mehmet Can Aydin during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Manchester United player Anthony Martial.

- Galatasaray has started transfer negotiations with Brest player Bradley Locko.

- Istanbul municipality has made decision to allow away Galatasaray fans for SuperLeague 18th week game against Fenerbahce.

- Milan are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Victor Nelsson

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Fabio Cannavaro, Slaven Bilic, Jorge Sampaoli, Ruud van Nisterlrooy, Frank de Boer, Bruno Genesio and Stanislav Cherchesov.

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/12/2023

Fenerbahce wins an important game but loses 2 key players before derby game

Fenerbahce has managed to win crucial game against Kayserispor with 3:2 scoreline as it played one of in form sides and also has kept its high confidence and motivation prior to Galatasaray derby game but it did get unwanted red card for Fred and Mert Hakan Yandas.

Coming to the game, it needs to be mentioned that Fenerbahce has started game at high tempo with providing dominant game during 1st minutes and also found an opening goal with Cengiz Under on 8th minute but in surprising manner it has reduced tempo of the game even through it did find 2nd goal. Afterwards it has led for Kayserispor to create some good chances and also found a goal entering to half-time with 2:1 scoreline. In fact, when looking at the overall game Fenerbahce had some good moments and also drop of performance as it did find goals at the times when it has shown top performance. After making 3:1 scoreline it has shown once again reduction and hence has also conceded 2 goals as this does provide questions as Fenerbahce did lose its leadership from 2 goal cushion. But it still did find penalty kick from handball where Batshuayi did find a goal and ending game with hat-trick. As it was getting well-fought win, Fenerbahce players Fred and Mert Hakan Yandas did get red cards due of complaints for foul which leads for both players to miss derby game.

It needs to be mentioned that Kayserispor did prove that it is being 3rd best team right now in the league as it provided strong fighting spirit against Fenerbahce and have stayed focussed and concentrated after each conceded goal. For sure, it would see this game as loss of at least 1 point. 

Fenerbahce did win crucial game with game prior to Galatasaray but 2 red cards on each side would provide some worries and change of tactics prior to derby game.

Galatasaray got an important win without providing its best game.

Galatasaray has got an important win against Fatih Karagumruk thanks to the goal of the Kerem Akturkoglu at the game where team didnt provide specifically strongest performance but still kept its motivation high prior to derby game against Fenerbahce.

When looking overall at the game, it could be stated that Galatasaray has been pretty far from playing dominating game and provide strong push which led side to not getting clear chances as usual due of some mistakes at last passes and touches. It also needs to be mentioned that opponent who did come out with its new coach has also provided good organising defensive game which did affect to the team. With game also being played prior to derby game against Fenerbahce and also following Champions League dramatic loss to Copenhagen has also affected to the game performance mentally. However, it needs to be stated that despite of not playing its best game on the field it did show pretty strong fighting spirit which did have a direct impact of how team has performed and keep looking for possession. Still win is a win without doubt as it keep its leadership race and kept its confidence high prior to derby game.

As been noted, Fatih Karagumruk did provide strong and organised defensive game but did lack good attacking game with goals on shots but despite that it did show some signs of good attacks but did lack good last touches. Still, Fatih Karagumruk did provide good positive signs for upcoming games.

Galatasaray hence did get an important win in such crucial and tough game and would now be preparing for one of the key games of the season against Fenerbahce.

Tensions has been once again on top as soon as league resumes.

With Super League being resumed after incident between Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca and referee Halil Umut Meler, there has been new controversy and scandal actions as Istanbulspor CEO Ecmel Sarilioglu has asked his team to leave side after referee decisions.

With statements which been made from Sarilioglu, Istanbulspor and also looking into referee decisions which let it does look like this action has been done not towards decision in this specific game but generally protests towards referee and TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi. As it is known, high number of clubs are being unhappy with referee decisions but such actions has been pretty drastic and it was specifically dramatically at viewing Istanbulspor players for demanding to game to be played from CEO especially Simon Deli begging on knees has been dramatic view. Meanwhile, it is expected for TFF to be taking some drastic actions for this decision which could lead up to for Istanbulspor being automatically relegated and not completing action.

Football fans who did expect for tension to be reduced at least for this week has been entirely as we are seeing another scandalous actions on 1st day after return of the league.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

Kayserispor 3:4 Fenerbahce

Antalyaspor 0:0 Kasimpasa

Galatasaray 1:0 Fatih Karagumruk

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

17:00 Rizespor - Pendikspor

17:00 Samsunspor - Konyaspor

20:00 Ankaragucu - Hatayspor

20:00 Besiktas - Alanyaspor

In other news:

- Istanbulspor CEO Ecmel Faik Sebalioglu: Decision to leave field has nothing to do with Trabzonspor. It also not related to one mistake at one game from referee. With numerous decisions against us from referees we lost many points. Reason of this is TFF and referees.

- Ankaragucu head coach Emre Belozoglu: After incident has happened I have came closer to Halil Umut Meler and hugged him and apologized 3 times in locker room. He thanked me for such behaviour.

- UEFA has selected Galatasaray player Kerem Akturkoglu goal against Manchester United and Tete goal against Copenhagen among nominees of best goals at group stage at Champions League.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Leicester City player Patson Daka.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Mircea Lucescu and Miroslav Klose.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Chelsea player Malang Sarr.

- RBLeipzig has informed to Galatasaray that there will not be any revisions to loan deal between sides regarding Angelino.

- Besiktas has set transfer fee of its player Vincent Aboubakar as 5 million euro.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Partisan player Matheus Saldanha and Crvena Zvezda player Osman Bukari.

What happened in Turkish football today? 19/12/2023

Ecmel Faik Sarioglu has decided not to complete game due of being unhappy with referee.

With Turkish Super League being restarted after 8 days of the incident between Ankaragucu CEO Faruk Koca and head coach Halil Umut Meler, we are having another incident with Istanbulspor CEO Ecmel Faik Sarilioglu ordering his playes to leave field on 73rd minute against Trabzonspor due of referee decisions.

It needs to be mentioned that position which has led for Sarilioglu to come with such drastic decisions did come on 68th minute when Trabzonspor has fouled to Istanbulspor player with referee deciding to continue position which led for goal which has been counted. With some complaints from Istanbulspor, referee did go into VAR with position to be standed. With Sarilioglu believing that decision has been given wrongly and also in view of "what I say is right" he has decided to call his players to leave field while some players from both sides has asked for Sarioglu to let game to be continued. This incident does show into seriousness of football in Turkey being in difficult position with everyone calling for its rights and only does harm to the game. 

It needs to be mentioned that prior to the game game has been going into good pressure with both sides against showing calm and positive game but this incident has overshadowed and sadly when coming to this game we are talking about things which are not directly involved with football.

Meanwhile, it is awaited what would be reactionw towards Istanbulspor action as it is expected for team to be recieving fine and 3 point reduction due of such actions and there could be some serious decisions towards them.

Fenerbahce will have some difficult time with Kayserispor

One of the most anticipated games during Super League 17th week without doubt is being Kayserispor and Fenerbahce as Istanbul giant still aims to keep its race at the top spot while Kayserispor aims to carry on its best performance with being 3rd team at the form.

Stating that, it needs to be stated that Fenerbahce and Galatasaray has been able to provide league into  matter of us and others, and hence Fenerbahce still looks to be as strong favourite for the win but it would be expected to have lots of pressure from Kayserispor and it would not be right to expect lots of goals from Fenerbahce even through an early goal could have changed that. With playing against Galatasaray on Christmas Eve, Fenerbahce would be hoping to get a game without much pressure but Kayserispor is not expected to give them an easy game.

Fenerbahce are being favourites during this game but it wont be very easy game for them and Kayserispor would provide lots of problems on the field.

Galatasaray are favourites against Fatih Karagumruk

Galatasaray would be aiming to carry on its top performance in the league as it would be playing with Fatih Karagumruk at home ground as it would be coming as clear favourites with help of the supporters.

As it is known, Galatasaray does provide good performance at home ground with help of supporters playing an important role and hence it is expected to carry on showing such strong game against Fatih Karagumruk who are struggling during this season. Galatasaray would be expected to provide fast tempo start of the game looking for an early goal so it could carry on game at low tempo without providing too much effort prior to derby and it does have capability to achieve that. Fatih Karagumruk very likely would provide main focus into  defence in the tactics.

Galatasaray are being favourites and expected to provide strong pressure to Fatih Karagumruk from start of the game.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

Basaksehirspor 3:1 Sivasspor

Gaziantep 2:2 Adana Demirspor

Istanbulspor 1:2 Trabzonspor(Game has been abandoned at 72nd minute due of Istanbulspor protest)

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

17:00 Kayserispor - Fenerbahce

20:00 Antalyaspor - Kasimpasa

20:00 Galatasaray- Fatih Karagumruk

In other news:

- TFF administrator Hamit Altintop has completed UEFA MIP programme.

- Fenerbahce has terminated contract with its player Baris Sungur.

- Fenerbahce has announced that recovery process of its player Edin Dzeko has become.

- BorussiaDortmund and Milan are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ferdi Kadioglu.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer RB Leipzig player TimoWerner.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Anastastios Bakasetas.

- Galatasaray player Sergio Oliviera had an operation due of his injury in Portugal.

- ManchesterUnited are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Mauro Icardi

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Paranaense player Christian

What happened in Turkish football today? 18/12/2023

Trabzonspor are clear favourites against Istanbulspor

Turkish Super League would be resumed following a break due of an attack from Faruk Koca to referee Halil Umut Meler with 4 games on 19th December, with one of them Trabzonspor will be playing against struggling Istanbulspor.

Taking account how both side are performing it would need to be stated that Trabzonspor are being clear favourites at the game and side would be seeking to continue its good result and end this year in good mood in overall. Still, Trabzonspor could struggle as it tends to have some issues at attack as it tends to be focussed into defensive game, and with opponent possible focussing into defense it can have issues with creating chances for 90 minutes.

Trabzonspor might not be able to dominate game but still it should be able to get win as Istanbulspor fails to show strong performance whole season.

Galatasaray has been drawn with Sparta Prague at Europa League 2nd round.

Galatasaray has been drawn against Czech side Sparta Prague during Europa League 2nd round games and even through it could be treated as good draw for Turkish giants, Sparta Prague are showing good performance.

Another factor which does make this game important is also extra 2 coefficient spots outside of top 8 teams of this season and with Belgium being currently at 9th spot, there is close fight for 10th between Turkey, Czech Republic and Scotland. Therefore, the winner of this tie would also provide an important role for title winners to get direct ticket at Champions League next season. Sparta Prague needs to be mentioned did manage to get runners-up spot at its tough group stage with also some good results. Galatasaray does have much more quality side at its hand but it would need to take opponent seriously as Sparta Prague will not be an easy opponent.

Galatasaray hence did relatively good draw but it would need to take those 2 legs seriously if it wants to be at last 16 stage of tournament.   

Besiktas has extended contract with Riza Calimbay until 27th December

Besiktas has announced that its head coach Riza Calimbay contract which was expiring today has been extended until 27th December while club is looking for new coach right now.

Previous Besiktas administrators when signing temporary Riza Calimbay has provided 15 days period after election to give time current administrators to look for new coach. However, with Besiktas not looking for new coach in the beginning of its reign, didnt do much job on such matter and hence has extended such deal and carry on looking for potential candidates until 27th December. This decision meanwhile does show that Besiktas are not interested with Riza Calimbay and has used this extension to look for new coach. It actually needs to state that Calimbay has shown his connection to club as he agreed with such deal despite of being aware that he is goner.

Besiktas would be seeking for new coach when season would resume after New Year break and as always we would follow all developments in this matter.

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

17:00 Basaksehirspor - Sivasspor

20:00 Gaziantep - Adana Demirspor

20:00 Istanbulspor - Trabzonspor

In other news: 

BogaziciUniversitySportsAwards2023 winners has been announced. Winners from football world are:

- Team of the year: Galatasaray

- Coach of the year: Okan Buruk(Galatasaray)

- Footballer of the year: Mauro Icardi(Galatasaray)

- Breakthrough team: Adana Demirspor

- Istanbulspor player David Jensen has terminated contract with club.

- Fenerbahce player Bright Osayi Samuel, Trabzonspor player Paul Onuachi, Hatayspor player Fisayo Dele Bashiru and Sivasspor player Ahmed Musa have been selected to provisional list of Nijerian National Team for African Cup of Nations 2024 squad

- Galatasaray CEO Dursun Ozbek has visited hospital due of uneasiness and stomache. His condition is reported to be good.

- Besiktas CEO Hasan Arat has stated that club and Fenerbahce would apply to TFF to play 2010-11 Super Cup Besiktas and Fenerbahce, which been cancelled due of matchfixing scandal.

- Fenerbahce player Edin Dzeko has become injured.

- BorussiaDortmund player Salih Ozcan has won an award for most successful player of the year at European Turkish Media Conference.

- Nice are interested to transfer Besiktas player Valentin Rosier.

- Fenerbahce considers to offer 5 million euro for Milan player Rade Krunic.

- ManchesterUnited has offerred 27.5 million euro for Galatasaray player Sacha Boey,

- Trabzonspor are interested to sell its player Umut Bozok during mid-season transfer window.

- Trabzonspor has offered 3-year extension contract to its player Bakasetas.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Manchester United player Sergio Reguillon.

- Trabzonspor considers to sell its players Filip Benkovic, Joaquin Fernandez, Dimitrios Kourbelis and Stryger Larsen during mid-season transfer window.

- Arsenal are interested to transfer Juventus player Kenan Yildiz

- AdanaDemirspor head coach Murat Sancak states that there would be deal made with new head coach within 15 days.

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Freiburg player Berkay Yilmaz.

What happened in Turkish football today? 17/12/2023

Administrators need to show more empathy towards clubs.

One of the outgoing questions in Turkish sports and general community during this week has been who to blame for Ankaragucu ex- CEO Faruk Koca attack towards Halul Umut Meler but it needs to be stated that everyone pays its share.

It needs to be mentioned that tension at the football community, especially among top 4 clubs, has been always been at high point with clubs blaming itself and one of the factors has been towards referees who has been blamed for all the factors. Our blog for several times has mentioned in our entries that when things are not going well, clubs tend to throw blame towards referees rather than stating that they done things wrong themselves. To some extend, blaming referees is being an easy route as they are not also able to respond due of they positions as referees. This without doubt has provided higher pressure when refereeing games which did lead for them them making high number of mistakes during games. 

Therefore, club administrators need to be more calmer and even show some signs of empathy when talking about referees and this would hence provide them more calmer refereeing of games.

TFF needs to regain superiority at hierarchy.

TFF and Central Referee Community needs to provide more support towards referee and reduce pressure which has been mentioned above but it fails to do so.

Sadly for past years, it does seem like football clubs are being in control of TFF and leading them to make some decisions rather than federation taken upper hand. And when things are not going as it wants to do so. Trabzonspor stating 2 weeks ago that they would cut ties with TFF because it didnt keep promise about ending career of one referee, Besiktas demanding apology from TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi, clubs opening criticising TFF. An issue here is not if clubs are right or not, but easiness how clubs are making this statements. In all respect, Besiktas needs to be afraid of TFF as it is being at the top of football community but in this environemnt Besiktas and other clubs able to say anything they want knowing that apart of some cash and bans it wont get much punished.

TFF needs to take much more harsher stance if it wants to be looking as top organisation at country football environment.

Media rather than sounding like informer, sounds for like football fan

In all the issues which are been discussed above general Turkish sports media also needs to get strong stance rather than sounding like spokesman of clubs.

Media has been referred as fourth estate with being middleway between rulers and public and if needed taking side of citizens. Sadly, this definition is being misunderstood at Turkish football community. Role of media is to report all development in this environemnt, news and information about football games however media sounds like football fans. Rather than reporting about events, it by itself call for resignation of administrators and coaches, criticising opponents and basically agreeing everything what club administrators state without going deep into issue. Turkish sports media is basically needs to take role of providing information from clubs to readers, sports lovers and fans but it is sounding like supporter itself. 

Shortly, media needs to take of information brigde between clubs and recievers but instead it sounds like biggest fan of football club.

In other news:

- Ankaragucu head coach Emre Belozoglu: Of course, events whic took place needs to be criticised. But our ex-CEO has stated himself how sorry he is for this events. He did lots of things with this club. If he would set free, players will be more motivated.

- Sevilla and Union Berlin are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Angelino.

- 3-4 Turkish clubs are interested to transfer Al Ahli player Josef de Souza.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Genk player Bilal El Khannouss

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Real Madrid player Dani Cabellos.

What happened in Turkish football today? 16/12/2023

Meler asks for maximum punishment to be given to Faruk Koca.

Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler during his written statement has called for Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca to get maximum punishment possible following being beaten up by him during game between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. 

Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca beating up Halil Umut Meler and being kicked while he was down by 2 other suspects has not created shock and disbelief in Turkey but also around world and it was important to see how would Meler act on it. At his short but clear statement he called for maximum punishment to be given, stating among sports there seems to be violence in many areas and if right action will not be taken in this case, this violence would go on due of being unpunished. Meanwhile, indictment has been send to court which requests for 13-year imprisonment to Koca. 

This case as our blog has been stated beforehand needs to be given as maximum punishment as possible, with disciplinary committee given lifetime ban its more important how would criminal court act.

Referees will referee midweek games.

Turkish referees has announced that they have decided to come out to Super League 17th weeks games to be played on midweek as TFF and government has provided promises and productive solutions regarding safety of the referees.

It needs to be stated that in realistic manner it was very unluckily that referees were actually satisfied but did go through goodwill between parties and also being productive for Super League games to be continued. Time would show how would TFF act after this events and is it actually would be safer for referees at games as every sign of referees feeling insecure by any way could also provide them similar boycot very likely. There is expectations for some lessons to be learned and as games will be resumed it would be clear but sadly with announcement of some football club administrators hope is not much there.

Referees has been felt under pressure in this environment hopefully this unwanted incident will reduce heat significantly.

Out of squad players at Besiktas has resumed training sessions.

Besiktas players Jean Onana, Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Bailly and Rachid Ghezzal has resumed training sessions despite being taken out of squad as club aims to sell them during mid-season transfer window.

According to legal cases, players are still technically players of the club and despite of being taken out of squad have right to be attending training session. It needs to be stated that reason why those players has been taken out of squad is for technical staff not interested to use those players during upcoming games and aim to sell them and hence this players to have chance to prove themselves and with having limited amount of players who are available there is chance for some of those names if not all to be bring back to squad.

Even through reason of those players, regardless how unethical in our views being, is having some reasons in club perspective it is still not very productive action and hence there could be some returns to main squad in short period.

In other news:

- Antalyaspor, Alanyaspor, Rizespor and Konyaspor are interested to transfer Moss player Aksel Baran Patur.

- Saudi Arabic is interested to transfer Besiktas player Racchid Ghezzal.

- Galatasaray has set transfer fee of its player Kerem Akturkoglu as 15 million euro.

What happened in Turkish football today? 15/12/2023

Fenerbahce managed to get top spot with win against Spartak Trnava.

Fenerbahce has managed to end Conference League group stage at top stop after beating Spartak Trnava with 4:0 scoreline and getting wanted result from Ludogorets and Nordsjaelland which means it has qualified to last 16 stage.

As it is remembered, Fenerbahce has started group stage with 3 out of 3 wins but had lost 2 games back-to-back which includes loss to Nordsjaelland with 6:1 scoreline. Coming to the game against Spartak Trnava, it has shown an attacking game against side which has been weakest link but did have some time to find its 1st goal as it did get many chances prior to 38th minute however when it did find goal, it has dominated rest of the game with making scoreline 4:0 at 61st minute, after Edin Dzeko has scored 2 goals within 2 minutes. Hence, Fenerbahce did show once again that it is being unbeatable side when it does come out without any injuries and right motivation and confidence. Help from Ludogorets means also side would be missing last 32 and will not play game until March.

Hence, even through Fenerbahce did have drop of performance it did end group stage at high note and reminded that it is being among main candidates to go all the way in the competition.

Besiktas provides confidence to young players.

Besiktas has ended Conference League group stage with a win against Lugano with 2:0 scoreline even through it has been full formality game for both sides.

With game being formality, injuries and 5 players being out of squad has led for team to be starting with youngsters who it needs to be stated did provide some good performance with 18-year old Emirhan Terzi scoring goal on 88th minute which has been pretty quality shot for sure. Besiktas hence did get some motivation and confidence at least bit with this win as Calimbay considers to carry on using youngsters.

It could be stated that his result would provide some confidence for youngsters who side aims to use in upcoming games.

Criminal case against Faruk Koca has begun

Criminal case against ex-Ankaragucu CEO Faruk Koca who has beaten up referee Halil Umut Meler following Rizespor game has been opened as it is expected for him to recieve very harsh sentence.

With PFDK providing first move on this case of Faruk Koca recieving what he deserves as he did get life ban following incident among some other suspects of this situation and now it would be headed to criminal case. Sadly, there are  known case when law didnt provide punishment to suspects at how they deserved. There is also culture of praising wrongdoer as in fact we are seeing in this case too as some Ankaragucu supporters and some other people are showing support to Faruk Koca in action which should not be tolerated. Stating that, media and generally public are waiting for harsh punishment and this could lead for court to make right punishment which he would be deserving. 

Faruk Koca being quilty is undoubetful is being case but quesiton what would be punishment which he would recieve from court as it should as harsh as possible. 

In other news:

- Fenerbahce player Edin Dzeko has been selected as nominee for player of the week at Conference League.

- UnionBerlin are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Enes Bardhi.

- AdanaDemirspor has set transfer fee of its player Yusuf Sari as 5 million euro.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Manchester City player Sergio Gomez and Santos player Felipe.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Lille player Yusuf Yazici.

- Galatasaray player Sergio Oliviera has become injured.

- Zurich are interested to transfer Besiktas player Gokhan Inler.

- Juventus has set transfer fee of its player Kenan Yildiz as 40 million euro.

What happened in Turkish football today? 14/12/2023

Fenerbahce ends group stage at top spot after confident win against Spartak Trnava.

Fenerbahce has entered to Conference League last 16 stage as it has beaten Spartak Trnava with 4:0 scoreline as it did take some time to find an opening goal but once it did find that goal, it has got wins back-to-back. With Ludogorets winning 1:0 scoreline against Nordsjaelland now means that side will not play next round due of goal difference.

Fenerbahce did come out to the game with main priority to get through to the knockout stages and when it achieved that it would be waiting for preferable scoreline for them from Ludogorets and Nordsjaelland game and this did come as Fenerbahce did go through with goal difference due of 1:0 scoreline win from Ludogorets. Coming to the game, it needs to be stated that it did take some time for Fenerbahce to find a winning goal as it has been side prior to opening goal at 38th minute from Ferdi Kadioglu it has been side which did control game but due of good defensive game and performance of goalkeeper couldnt find that crucial goal. It needs to be stated that opening goal from Ferdi Kadioglu has been shown good attacking game in attack and has shown great touch when scoring goal. After that goal and also penalty goal from Tadic which later has been given to Spartak Trnava goal especially, Fenerbahce did get full control of the game with 2 goals from Edin Dzeko scored between 2 minutes. After that Spartak Trnava naturally has lost concentration and motivation of the game and Fenerbahce has provided patient and controllable game in last 30 minutes.

Spartak Trnava did come out to the game with 1 point and has already been relegated and hence it did come out as formality game and it needs to be stated that with level of the side it did provide good defensive and organised game until 38th minute. Despite of ending at last spot, Spartak Trnava did provide reasonably good performance.

Fenerbahce with putting some difficulties at this group due of last 2 game did lose games but still got result which it aimed for in the end of the day and ended group stage at top spot and would pass 2nd round of the competition.

Besiktas ends Conference League with win against Lugano

Besiktas has ended its very dissapointing Conference League campaign with high note as it got 2:0 win against fellow relegated side Lugano as Riza Calimbay did give playing time to its youngsters both due of lack of players available and status of the game.

With having very dissapointing Conference League campaign and also whole season and also pretty dissapointed game against Fenerbahce which has been first game for CEO Hasan Arat, it was expected for Besiktas to show some reaction which it did to some extend. It has also been important during this game for youngster to find a goal Emrecan Terzi at 88th minute as this would provide some confidence for his future career especially with finding at European competitions.

Lugano on their part didnt been highly motivated to game as their been arleady relegated and hasnt been entirely to the game which had some meaning like it did for Besiktas as game been played at empty stance.

Therefore, Besiktas has ended its Conference League which pretty good win with its youngsters against Lugano but in overall this group stage would be remembered as big failure for them.

Halil Umut Meler should be only one to decide his refereeing future.

Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler who has been beaten up in shocking manner from Ankaragucu ex-CEO Faruk Koca would need to make decision about his resignation or not himself and not from pressure from other parties.

Without doubt, Halil Umut Meler following events which took place following Ankaragucu and Rizespor has been mostly affected psychologically and harm which been done towards those events would have more impact rather than physically. Therefore, he would need to make decision to continue his refereeing career himself. With different CEOs and TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi calling for Meler to carry on his refereeing performance state that he should be staying mainly for being one of the leading referees and is seen as candidate for Euro 2024. Sadly, this statements does lack sympathy and empathy and not focussing into supporting difficult period which he is going through apart of condemnation of attack. 

Clubs and TFF are calling for him to stay sadly are focussed more into image of Turkish football and to some extend self-interests rather than of Meler. Hence, decision should be made by himself.

Results:

UEFA Conference League, Group H, 6th week:

Fenerbahce 4:0 Spartak Trnava

Ludogorets 1:0 Nordsjaelland

UEFA Conference League, Group D, 6th week:

Lugano 0:2 Besiktas

Club Brugge 2:1 Bodo/Glimt

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Ankaragucu has recieved 200,000 TL fine 5-game ban and 2 million TL and blockage of stands for behaviour of fans and events on field.

- Ankaragucu administrator Yusuf Bugra Tanik has recieved 45-days of deprivation of rights for social media sharings.

- Ankaragucu administrator #MullaAliCetin has recieved 1-month ban for events on field

- Ankaragucu administrator Sahin Yunus Sahin and Kenan Celikkaya has recieved lifetime ban.

- Konyaspor and #Fenerbahce has recieved 112,000 TL fine for events on field.

- Basaksehirspor JeromeOpoku has recieved 3-game ban and 390,000 TL fine for actions towards referee.

- Kayserispor administrator Busra Nur Sahin will recieve 15-days of deprivation of rights for accepting unallowed fans.

- Gaziantep and Besiktas recieved blockage of stands due of behaviour towards referees.

- Besiktas has recieved 168,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans

- Fenerbahce has recieved 312,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans and events on field.

- Trabzonspor CEO Ertugrul Dogan has recieved 45-days of deprivation of rights and 200,000 TL fine statements

- Fenerbahce and its administrator Burak Caglan Kizilhan has recieved 400,000 TL fine.

- Ankaragucu has announced that it would send complaint for fines and bans its recieved from PFDK.

- Criminal case against Faruk Koca and other 4 suspects has begun after indictment of case has been completed.

- 5 players of Besiktas who have taken out of squad has send warning to club and will attend training sessions this weekend.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer CSKA Moscow player Willyan Rocha.

- SpartakMoscow are interested to transfer Besiktas player Vincent Aboubakar.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Nice player Yousef Atal.

- Trabzonspor head coach Abdullah Avci:We are saddened for referee incident which is not acceptable. Only thing I can say is that such events shouldnt happen again.I am focussed into how we can develop game. Mislav Orsic is accepted to return to team end of February/start of March- Besiktas are interested to transfer Freiburg player Berkay Yilmaz.