Fenerbahçe beats Galatasaray in typically tense Super Cup game

Fenerbahçe beat Galatasaray in an expectedly event-filled Super Cup final on Aug. 25. The Yellow Canaries, Super League winners, overcame a nervy penalty shoot-out that followed a goalless and drab playing time of 120 minutes to beat their perennial rivals, who won the Turkish Cup. However, the game is more likely to be remembered for being another edition of demonstration of hatred between the two sides, who were renewing their century-old fierce rivalry.

The game was played in Manisa to raise funds for the families of victims of Soma, the site of Turkey’s deadliest mine disaster in May. However, the atmosphere lacked the respect demanded by those killed in the disaster, and the match was played under a hail of objects as play was interrupted multiple times due to altercations between the footballers.

The game’s point of explosion, however, came during the penalty shoot-out. After Galatasaray’s Felipe Melo shot his spot-kick over the bar, an overjoyed and eagerly excited Fenerbahçe goalkeeper jumped on the Brazilian midfielder to celebrate. The referee showed yellow cards to both players, but Volkan Demirel did not seem to calm down after the victory.

“The municipality should clean stray dogs off the streets, or it is my job to do that,” Demirel told the club’s official broadcaster, FB TV, in the dressing room. The Turkish international’s cryptic words were an apparent dig at Melo, the self-proclaimed “Pitbull,” and usually makes his on-pitch celebrations on all fours.

Felipe Melo did not make a statement, but Galatasaray was quick to call the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to demand a ban on Volkan Demirel.

“Galatasaray may win or lose, Fenerbahçe may win...