Jose Mourinho slams Galatasaray penalty call as Adana Demirspor president resigns
Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho calls out officiating issues in Turkish Super Lig as Adana Demirspor leaves the pitch and president resigns, Türkiye, Feb. 10, 2025. (Photo via Türkiye Today)
Galatasaray’s Super Lig match against Adana Demirspor ended in chaos when the visiting team walked off the pitch to protest a controversial penalty decision.
The referee abandoned the match, and the fallout escalated with Adana Demirspor’s president Bedirhan Durak resigning. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho added to the tension with a pointed social media post.
The controversy has now further escalated after Adana Demirspor’s president, Bedirhan Durak, announced his resignation this morning.
Adana Demirspor walks off pitch in match against Galatasaray
The match at RAMS Park took a dramatic turn when Adana Demirspor’s players walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty decision. Here’s what happened:
- 12th minute: Alvaro Morata scored a penalty for Galatasaray after Dries Mertens fell in the box during a challenge with Semih Guler. Replays suggested minimal contact.
- 30th minute: Adana Demirspor players stormed off the field in protest, refusing to continue the match.
- Referee’s response: Oguzhan Cakir attempted to defuse the situation but ultimately abandoned the match.
- Decision pending: The Turkish Football Federation will determine the final outcome of the match.
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk questioned the penalty. “In my opinion, it was more likely that it wasn’t a penalty,” he said.
However, he criticized Adana Demirspor’s decision to walk off, saying, “This is not the first mistake made against them. I don’t believe this was an innocent, spontaneous decision.”
Adana Demirspor’s former president, Metin Korkmaz, clarified that the protest targeted the Central Refereeing Committee (MHK), not Galatasaray. “This was not against Galatasaray but against the officiating,” he said, expressing frustration over referee decisions in the league.
Jose Mourinho reacts to penalty controversy, takes a jab at Galatasaray
Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho responded to the incident through social media. He posted a series of images, including footage of the controversial penalty and a video of himself reading on a plane. Without a caption, his post fueled speculation that he was mocking Galatasaray.
Mourinho has repeatedly criticized the Super Lig’s refereeing. After a previous contentious Galatasaray victory, he had said, “Scandal, scandal, scandal. In this country, many people like it. Even the winners like it, which is the worst thing of all.” He has also described the league’s officiating as creating a “toxic” environment.
Fenerbahce, currently second in the league and three points behind Galatasaray, also issued a fierce statement following the abandoned match.
The club accused Galatasaray of manipulating the league, saying, “Illegal contracts, black-market ticket sales, and misleading media influence are destroying trust and fairness.” The statement concluded, “Because of you, there is no trust or justice left.”
Adana Demirspor president Bedirhan Durak resigns after team walks off
Adana Demirspor president Bedirhan Durak announced his resignation on Monday morning amid the escalating controversy.
In a social media statement, Durak voiced his frustration with the ongoing turmoil. “I sacrificed my time, my money and my health for this club,” he said.
“I have ignored the negative and exhausting messages for the team’s wellbeing. But now, I see that we are stuck in a deadlock.”
Durak, who took over the club’s presidency in October, had faced increasing challenges on and off the pitch.
His resignation adds to the turmoil surrounding Adana Demirspor, which sits at the bottom of the Super Lig table and continues to struggle financially.
The Turkish Football Federation is expected to rule on the match result in the coming days. Meanwhile, tensions between Galatasaray, Adana Demirspor and Fenerbahce continue to grow.
The controversy has reignited debates over refereeing in Türkiye’s top flight, with increasing calls for reform, including the potential introduction of foreign referees.
