The Turkish derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, airing live on beIN SPORTS USA on Monday, February 24, at 11:50 AM ET, will have a unique twist: a foreign referee will be in charge of the match. This unprecedented decision in the Süper Lig was announced on Wednesday by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in response to accusations of favoritism towards the current league leaders, Galatasaray.

Refereeing Controversy in Turkey

Since the start of the season, Fenerbahçe has repeatedly complained about alleged referee decisions favoring their arch-rivals. Their manager, José Mourinho, who took charge in June 2024, has been one of the most vocal critics, claiming that the officiating system benefits Galatasaray and works against his team.

To ease tensions, the TFF introduced foreign VAR officials in April while keeping Turkish referees on the field. However, as the controversy grew, the federation took it a step further by appointing an international referee for this high-stakes clash.

A Historic Decision

TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu explained the move in a press conference:
"From the beginning, we have trusted our referees, but we have chosen a foreign official to avoid further controversy."

While the referee’s name has not yet been revealed, the federation assures that it is a world-renowned figure. With Galatasaray leading the league by six points over Fenerbahçe, this Istanbul derby will be a decisive showdown in the title race. Catch the action live on beIN SPORTS USA on Monday, February 24, at 11:50 AM ET.