Turkish Football Derby Cancelled Due To Unspecified Threat

The top tier football match between Galatasaray-Fenerbahce was cancelled after unconfirmed reports of bomb threat

Disappointed soccer fans leave Galatasaray’s Turk Telekom Arena Stadium two hours before high-profile soccer match between two major Turkish teams, Istanbul. (Photo: AP)

Turkish authorities called off the Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby in Istanbul about two hours before kickoff on Sunday, citing an unspecified threat. The authorities said that the match has been postponed to a later date.

A brief statement from the Istanbul governor’s office said the match was canceled following “the assessment of serious intelligence,” but didn’t provide details. It said the decision was made following “the request and the agreement” of the two bitter rivals.

Unconfirmed media reports said there was a bomb threat at the stadium.

Police officers stand outside Galatasaray’s Turk Telekom Arena Stadium two hours before the high-profile soccer match between two major Turkish teams, in Istanbul. (Photo: AP)

The decision came a day after an Islamic State group-linked suicide bomber killed himself and four foreign tourists on Istanbul’s main pedestrian street. The attack was the sixth suicide bombing in Turkey since July that have either been blamed on the IS group or claimed by Kurdish militants.

Angry fans outside the stadium after the match was cancelled. (Photo: AP)

Earlier, fans were told that the game would be played without spectators, the state-run Anatole Agency reported, leading to protests by fans who were already inside the stadium. But authorities later decided to postpone the game.

Turkey’s national team also canceled training scheduled for Monday in Istanbul ahead of international games against Sweden and Austria. The training would take place in the city of Antalya.