Saudis Ban Ataturk Quote, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray Refuse to Play!

(Patria) - The Turkish Super Cup was supposed to start at 18:45 at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh. It hasn't started, and whether it will be played at all - remains to be seen.

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce had planned to mark the centenary of the republic's founding at the match with banners featuring the image of Kemal Ataturk, whom they consider the father of the modern state, and an additional banner with a message, Ataturk's quote: "Peace at home, peace in the world," N1 reports.

In addition, players from both teams were supposed to come out onto the field in t-shirts with Ataturk's image.

The Saudi hosts did not like this, and when the hosts banned the display of banners, the two teams decided not to play the match.

The presidents of the two clubs met two hours before the match with representatives of the Turkish Football Federation to try to resolve the situation.

Turkish media then reported that the following was agreed upon:

- There will be no special explanation
- Club representatives left the hotel through the back entrance to avoid the media
- The match will be played as planned

- The anthem will be played
- A minute of silence will be held for the earthquake victims
- The Turkish flag will be displayed
- Banners and t-shirts with which the clubs wanted to send players onto the field were not approved.

However, about 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the match, the field is empty, and videos of Galatasaray players leaving the stadium are circulating on social media, while Fenerbahce says they are awaiting a decision at the hotel.