By Humberto Viera
Dec 25, 2023, 17:17 PM EST
The classic confrontation between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in Turkey resulted in a duel of high tensions, crucial to define the leadership in the Super Lig for the second half of the year.
The match ended in a goalless draw at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadyum, leaving both teams with 44 points at the top of the table. However, the protagonist of the day was Mauro Icardi, who was involved in a controversy for an alleged penalty that the VAR did not validate, after receiving a blow to the face during a set piece play.
Videos taken by fans show the moment in which Alexander Djiku hits the Argentine striker’s face with his fist, causing him to fall to the ground due to the blow received.
“Those who only want justice for themselves continued tonight to manipulate Turkish football from all channels. We share what the referee committee, the VAR room and the 26 cameras cannot see and we feel ashamed for them. I hope that one day those who brought Turkish football to this point will be ashamed,” Galatasaray wrote in a claim shared on social networks.
Icardi himself shared on his social networks a photograph of how his eye looked after the match, highlighting an obvious bruise under his right eye. In a joking way, Wanda Nara, her partner, imitated the same mark but under the left eye in support of her partner’s claim during the family Christmas celebration.
However, Fenerbahce did not remain silent and argued that, from their perspective, the blow to Mauro’s face was the result of another incident, when he collided with one of the goal posts.
“The guy hits the goalpost with his head and then appears on Instagram crying about a penalty. Typical of them, embarrassing. Be more serious Fabrizio Romano, you are better than that,” wrote the Bosnian Edin Dzeko in the comments box of the Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who was in charge of closely following the crossing.
On the other hand, the official Fenerbahce account also stated: “Trying to create complaints about a player who hits the goal post. At the discretion of the public.”
In parallel, social networks were filled with Turkish fans arguing among themselves whether it was a penalty against Icardi or if it was simply a blow against one of the posts. In one of the areas of impact against the goal, it seems that the Argentine did not hit his face and therefore it would be unlikely that the bruise was generated there.
Despite the tie, both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray maintain their leadership in the standings and are preparing to meet again in the Turkish Super Cup final, scheduled for Friday, December 29.
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