Controversy Strikes Turkish Super Lig: Adana Demirspor Walks Off in Penalty Protest

In a shocking turn of events during the Turkish Super Lig, Adana Demirspor made a bold statement by walking off the pitch in their match against league leaders Galatasaray. The protest was sparked by a controversial penalty decision in the 12th minute, which saw Galatasaray take the lead through Alvaro Morata's spot-kick.

The Incident

As the match progressed, Adana Demirspor's manager, Mustafa Alper Avcı, called his players over for a brief discussion. Moments later, the entire team left the field and headed to the dressing room, leaving the referee with no choice but to suspend the game. This dramatic exit has reignited debates over referee impartiality in Turkish football.

Club Statements

Adana Demirspor vice president Metin Korkmaz emphasized that the protest was directed at the referee board and not Galatasaray. He revealed that the decision was made by club president Murat Sancak, who had previously expressed concerns about referee bias in a television interview.

Sancak later confirmed that the penalty decision was the primary reason for the walkout, stating, "We were 99% going to lose today anyway." He also dismissed claims that Fenerbahce president Ali Koç influenced the decision, asserting, "Neither Ali Koç nor the richest man in Turkey can buy me."

Reactions

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk criticized the protest, calling it "a big damage for Turkish football." Meanwhile, rivals Fenerbahce took to social media to express their discontent, accusing Galatasaray of undermining trust and justice in the league.

Historical Context

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Turkish football. Last season, Istanbulspor withdrew from their match against Trabzonspor under similar circumstances. Refereeing controversies have plagued the league for years, prompting the introduction of foreign Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials.

The Turkish Football Federation will now have the final say on the outcome of the match, as the debate over referee integrity continues to simmer.