Turkish Super Cup final postponed after Riyadh dispute

The eagerly anticipated Turkish Super Cup final, set to ignite Riyadh with the rivalry between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, faced an abrupt postponement due to a heated disagreement over jersey symbols deemed "political slogans" by Saudi organisers.

Initially slated to electrify the Saudi capital on Friday, the showdown between the Turkish giants faced a sudden halt, announced via Saudi sports channel SSC, citing undisclosed 'problems' in the event's arrangement.

Turkish media buzzed with reports that both Turkish teams intended to honour Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of modern Turkey, by donning jerseys bearing his image, commemorating Turkey's centennial republic celebration. However, Saudi organisers rebuffed this gesture.

The impasse escalated, compelling the fierce Istanbul rivals and the Turkish Football Federation to jointly decide on a match postponement, originally scheduled at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

Saudi organisers, referencing match regulations, pointed to the teams' deviation from agreed-upon norms regarding the display of slogans outside football's purview. Riyadh Season, the event organisers, expressed disappointment over the teams' non-compliance despite prior agreements during preparatory discussions with the Turkish Football Federation.

While the cancelled final coincided with Turkey's Republic centenary, Saudi officials remained mum on the unfolding dispute.

The joint statement from Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and the Turkish Football Federation underscored the postponement as a result of organisational discrepancies, leaving uncertainties over the final's future venue and date. Nevertheless, gratitude was extended to Saudi Arabia's football federation for their efforts despite the clash's termination.

This controversy adds to the tumultuous month in Turkish football, marked by the arrest of Ankaragucu's president for assaulting a referee and subsequent league suspensions. Istanbulspor's recent walkout in protest during a Super Lig match against Trabzonspor further intensified the turmoil, leading to game abandonment.