Will a foreign referee officiate the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe match? Here is the latest

The countdown for the Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahçe derby has begun! One of the topics of discussion ahead of the match is which referee will officiate it… A foreign referee is among the options.

Speaking on NeoSpor, Serdar Ali Çelikler explained the latest situation regarding a foreign referee, stating: “I spoke with Turkish Football Federation member Mecnun Otyakmaz. If both teams request it, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu will call UEFA President Ceferin, and a high-quality foreign referee will officiate this match. They are waiting for a written request from both teams. If one of the two teams does not want it, a Turkish referee will officiate the match.”

“Almost none of the Turkish referees want to officiate this match”

Serdar Ali Çelikler provided further information, saying, “Almost none of the Turkish referees want to officiate this match.”

Following this, program commentator Önder Özen remarked, “In the past, it was an honor for Turkish referees to officiate such derbies. Everyone would vie for it; they would compete with each other. This match is now one that referees try to avoid. Because that match stays in memory. The losing side does not want that referee for their other matches. Therefore, it is difficult for the referee.”

News Source: 12punto