Following an agreement between Saudi authorities and the Turkish Football Federation, Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh was designated to host the match. Yet, just hours before kickoff, the Saudi officials barred both teams from warming up in Mustafa Kemal Ataturk t-shirts, a figure pivotal in Turkey’s modern history.
In a joint statement released on X, the Turkish Football Federation, along with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, shared, “In celebration of our Republic’s 100th anniversary and the international presence of the Turkish Football Federation, we aimed to showcase our clubs in a manner that adds value to Turkish football.”
The scheduled 2023 Super Cup match, originally slated for Friday, December 29, 2023, at 20:45, has been postponed due to organizational disruptions, a decision made collaboratively by the clubs and the Federation.
Acknowledging the efforts of the host country’s Football Federation and associated entities in Super Cup arrangements, the Turkish contingent expressed gratitude.
This highly anticipated match coincided with the centenary of Ataturk’s groundbreaking reforms that laid the foundation for a secular Turkish Republic. Despite implications suggesting a ban on Turkey’s national flag and anthem, the TFF contested these assertions. Now with the match delayed, there’s a strong possibility it might relocate to Turkey itself. Earlier discussions in November, initiated by Fenerbahce during a board meeting, proposed hosting the match at Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium, the previous season’s Champions League final venue, or at Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium, home turf for Samsunspor.
Both teams will return to Turkey for their upcoming league fixtures, with Fenerbahce squaring off against Istanbulspor and Galatasaray set to clash with Konyaspor on January 7.
Fenerbahçe performance and stats
Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe is currently 1st in the Super Lig with 44 points.
In the last 17 games, it has won 14 times, drawn twice, and lost once. In its last match, Fenerbahçe drawn 0-0 against Galatasaray.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 44 goals and conceding 14.
Galatasaray performance and stats
Galatasaray
Galatasaray is currently 2nd in the Super Lig with 44 points.
In the last 17 games, it has won 14 times, drawn twice, and lost once. In its last match, Galatasaray drawn 0-0 against Fenerbahçe.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 32 goals and conceding 9.
