Adana Demirspor Players Leave the Field in Protest During Match Against Galatasaray

In a dramatic turn of events during the 23rd round of the Turkish Super Lig, Adana Demirspor players walked off the field in protest during their match against Galatasaray on February 9, 2025. The game, held at Galatasaray’s home ground, was abruptly halted in the 30th minute, leaving fans and officials stunned.

The Incident

The controversy began in the 12th minute when the referee awarded Galatasaray a penalty for what was deemed a foul by Adana Demirspor defender Semih Güler on Dries Mertens. The decision, perceived as questionable by many, sparked outrage among the players and coaching staff of Adana Demirspor. Alvaro Morata successfully converted the penalty, giving Galatasaray an early 1-0 lead.

Shortly after, Adana Demirspor’s head coach, Mustafa Alper Avci, expressed frustration with the refereeing decisions. Using a pause in the game for medical attention to one of his players, Yusuf Barasi, Avci instructed his team to leave the field. The players complied, protesting and returning to the locker room. As a result, the match was suspended and subsequently abandoned.

Statements from Adana Demirspor

Following the incident, Adana Demirspor officials clarified their stance. The club’s director, Metin Korkmaz, emphasized that the protest was aimed not at Galatasaray but at the refereeing system in Turkish football. “Our reaction is not against Galatasaray but against the system of arbitration,” he stated.

Club president Bedirhan Durak later announced his resignation, citing ongoing frustrations with refereeing decisions that he believed were unjustly affecting the team. Durak remarked, “This decision to leave the field reflects the culmination of numerous injustices our club has faced in recent matches. It is a stand against the systemic issues in Turkish football.”

Reactions

The incident has sparked widespread debate across the Turkish football community and beyond. Galatasaray’s management expressed disappointment with the abrupt end to the match but refrained from commenting on the refereeing decisions. Fans of both teams took to social media, with opinions divided on whether Adana Demirspor’s actions were justified or an overreaction.

Turkish football pundits have also weighed in, highlighting the broader issues of transparency and accountability in refereeing. Some see the protest as a bold statement, while others criticize it for disrupting the league’s integrity.

Consequences

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is now tasked with deciding the match's outcome and potential disciplinary actions against Adana Demirspor. Preliminary reports suggest that Galatasaray may be awarded a 3-0 technical victory, along with possible sanctions against Adana Demirspor, including point deductions.

Looking Ahead

This unprecedented protest sheds light on deeper issues within Turkish football, particularly the lack of trust in refereeing. While Adana Demirspor’s actions have drawn criticism, they have also sparked a conversation about the need for reform in the arbitration system. Whether this protest leads to meaningful change remains to be seen. Still, it has undoubtedly left a mark on the 2025 Turkish Super Lig season.

As the TFF deliberates its response, fans, and stakeholders across the league will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what it means for the future of Turkish football.

Published by Patrick Jane
10.02.2025