Galatasaray Ends Tie With Turkish Football Federation, Here's Why

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Apr 24, 2026, 07:37 AM

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Galatasaray

Summary

Turkish giants Galatasaray have ended their ties with the Turkish Football Federation ahead of the upcoming derby clash against Fenerbahce.
The disagreement is reported to be over the appointment of referee Yasin Kol for the upcoming important clash, which could have huge title race ramifications.
Galatasaray currently holds a 4-point lead atop the Super Lig standings over Fenerbahce before the matchweek 31 clash on Sunday.

Turkish giants Galatasaray have taken a drastic step of ending their ties with the Turkish Football Federation ahead of their upcoming potential title-deciding clash against Fenerbahce in matchweek 31. The decision from the club stems after referee Yasin Kol was appointed to officiate the Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce derby, a move which has drawn widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike.

The referee in question, Kol, has been a controversial figure in Turkish football. His appointment for one of the prestigious derbies in the country led Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek to release a statement addressing the Turkish Football Controversy. The club's official social media handle on X, posted this statement from the club president:

“All our relations with the current administration of the Turkish Football Federation have been suspended as of today,” Özbek's statement read.

Why is Galatasaray unhappy with the Yasin Kol Appointment?

The Lions are echoing the general sentiments that criticize and call out Kol. The referee has been accused by some sections of Turkish football fans of being biased and inexperienced for refereeing one of the biggest games of the season. Many fans believe that a top FIFA-badged referee should have been appointed instead of Kol, who reportedly doesn't have a FIFA badge and has officiated the last 6 of the 8 derbies featuring the two teams.

Kol was the referee for the reverse fixture between the two sides in December 2025, which ended in a controversial 1-1 draw after Kol awarded Fenerbahce a late penalty. Jhon Duran stepped up and converted from the spot, as both teams shared the spoils

People who closely follow Turkish football have argued that FIFA-badged referees like Halil Umut Meler, who was the referee in the reverse fixture, should have been the natural and unanimous choice. Kol's appointment is seen by many fans in Turkey and on social media as a way to sabotage Galatasaray's chances of winning the Super Lig title this season.

What Is Happening In The Super Lig Title Race?

The Super Lig is closing in on an exciting grandstand finish, with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce locked in a tight battle to be crowned Turkish champions. While Galatasaray has accumulated 71 points in 30 games, Fenerbahçe is following closely, having recorded 67 points after the same number of games.

A win for either side on Sunday could have huge ramifications in the title race and underscores how important it is to have a fair and just referee for a game of such magnitude and impact.