Is Turkish Super Cup Cancelled? Why was Turkish Super Cup Cancelled?
by Priyanka P
Updated Jan 06, 2024
About Turkish Super Cup 2023
The 2023 Turkish Super Cup, also known as the 2023 Turkcell Super Cup, was supposed to be the 50th edition of the annual football match between the previous season's Süper Lig champions, Galatasaray, and the Turkish Cup winners, Fenerbahçe. Originally scheduled for December 29, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the match got canceled due to disagreements between the clubs and Saudi authorities.
The ceremonial disagreements included disputes over displaying banners and playing the national anthem of Saudi Arabia. Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray's refusal to play resulted in the game's postponement. The decision to hold the match in Saudi Arabia, rather than in Turkey during the centennial year of the Republic, sparked controversy and drew widespread support within Turkey for the clubs' decision not to participate.
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Is Turkish Super Cup Cancelled?
Yes, the 2023 Turkish Super Cup, scheduled between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was canceled. The match, initially set for December 29, 2023, faced issues due to disagreements between the clubs and Saudi authorities. The disputes involved requests for displaying banners and playing the national anthem of Saudi Arabia during the opening ceremony, leading to a ceremonial disagreement.
Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray declined to play, resulting in the cancellation of the match. The decision to hold the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, rather than in Turkey during the Republic's centennial year, caused controversy and gained support from various Turkish football teams, players, and organizations.
The game's cancellation was officially announced in a joint statement by the teams and the Turkish Football Federation, citing "glitches" as the reason for postponement.
Turkish Super Cup History
The Turkish Super Cup, originally named the Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kupası (Presidential Cup) from 1966 to 1998, is an annual football match in Turkey. It features the winners of the previous season's Süper Lig (top league) and Turkish Cup competitions. Between 1999 and 2005, no competition was held, with a substitute called the Atatürk Cup played in 2000.
Afterward, the tournament was rebranded as the TFF Süper Kupa, serving as a season opener. If a team achieves the league and cup double, the Turkish Cup runners-up become finalists. The competition has seen various name changes, including Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kupası, Devlet Başkanlığı Kupası (Head of State Cup), and Başbakanlık Kupası (Prime Minister's Cup).
Galatasaray is the most successful team, winning 16 titles in 25 appearances. The 2023 edition faced controversy and cancellation due to disagreements between clubs and Saudi authorities.
Why was Turkish Super Cup Cancelled?
The 2023 Turkish Super Cup between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe was canceled due to disagreements between the clubs and Saudi authorities. The issues arose over ceremonial matters, such as displaying banners and playing the national anthem of Saudi Arabia during the opening ceremony.
Fenerbahçe wished to feature banners with the phrase "Peace at Home, Peace in the World!" while Galatasaray intended to display "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!" Additionally, both clubs wanted to warm up in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk-themed T-shirts. However, Saudi officials disapproved of these requests.
The disagreement led to both teams refusing to play, resulting in the cancellation of the match. The clubs and the Turkish Football Federation later cited "glitches" as the reason for the postponement in a joint statement.
Turkish Super Cup Pre-match
In the lead-up to the 2023 Turkish Super Cup, several notable events occurred during the pre-match period. Initially scheduled for December 29, 2023, between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the match faced controversy due to ceremonial disagreements.
Fenerbahçe intended to display banners with the phrase "Peace at Home, Peace in the World!" during the opening ceremony, while Galatasaray planned to showcase "How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!" Both clubs also aimed to warm up in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk-themed T-shirts.
However, Saudi officials disapproved of these requests, insisting on playing the national anthem of Saudi Arabia. The disagreement led to both teams refusing to play, resulting in the cancellation of the match. The clubs and the Turkish Football Federation later referred to "glitches" as the reason for the game's postponement in a joint statement.
Is Turkish Super Cup Cancelled? - FAQs
Yes, the 2023 Turkish Super Cup between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was canceled due to disagreements over ceremonial matters, leading to both teams refusing to play.
The Turkish Super Cup is an annual football match in Turkey between the winners of the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup.
Controversy arose due to the decision to hold the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia instead of Turkey during the Republic's centennial year, leading to disagreements and support from various entities.
Galatasaray is the most successful team, having won the Turkish Super Cup 16 times in 25 appearances.
Disagreements included Fenerbahçe wanting to display banners with a peace message and Galatasaray intending to warm up in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk-themed T-shirts, all disapproved by Saudi authorities.
Other teams, including Beşiktaş JK, MKE Ankaragücü, and Samsunspor, offered support, and there were public displays of solidarity, such as the renaming of a street in Istanbul and the removal of the Saudi Pro League from a Turkish sports network.