Fenerbahce made a bold statement during the rescheduled Turkish Supercup against Galatasaray by walking off the field after just three minutes as a protest against perceived unfair treatment. Opting to field an Under-19 team, Fenerbahce's decision came after reports in Turkish media suggested they intended to start the match and then forfeit it. Galatasaray managed to score a goal from Mauro Icardi within those three minutes before Fenerbahce left the field.

Speaking before the match at a press conference held more than 1,000 kilometers away from Istanbul in Sanliurfa, Fenerbahce president Ali Koc emphasized the need for a reset in Turkish football. The timing coincided with efforts to raise funds for victims of the 2023 earthquake that struck Sanliurfa, claiming over 53,500 lives. Proceeds from the game were pledged to support those affected by the disaster.

Despite their protest during the Supercup, Fenerbahce remains focused on their pursuit of the Turkish title, their first since 2014. With just seven rounds remaining, they trail champions Galatasaray by two points. Fenerbahce has voiced grievances over what they perceive as unfair treatment, including their request for the Supercup to be postponed ahead of a crucial Europa League quarter-final against Olympiakos. Additionally, they had requested a foreign referee citing biased treatment from Turkish officials.

However, the Turkish Football Federation rejected both requests, further adding to Fenerbahce's frustration. This decision came in the wake of the Federation imposing one-match suspensions on two Fenerbahce players following a pitch invasion incident in Trabzon. The Supercup, originally slated for December 29 in Riyadh, was rescheduled after Saudi organizers refused to allow players to wear warm-up shirts featuring the image of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, citing a ban on political slogans.

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