Explained: How Fenerbahce executed extraordinary plan to get Turkish Super Cup abandoned with Under-19s playing just two minutes against Galatasaray in final

The Sunday night clash was supposed to be played on December 29, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but it was called off because of a disagreement between the clubs and the host nation's authorities. The Turkish Football Federation wanted to allow fans to bring in banners in memory of national icon Mustafa Kemal Ataturk but the Saudi authorities would not allow it. Players were not allowed on to the pitch wearing t-shirts with Ataturk on it and the game was eventually postponed. Fenerbahce then wanted the contest abandoned completely. Here's why.

According to GOAL Turkey, Fenerbahce asked for this contest to be postponed because of their Europa Conference League quarter-final against Olympiacos on Thursday. The Turkish Football Federation, however, refused this request and another one to have foreign referees officiate the match in Sanliurfa. In protest, Fenerbahce played their Under-19 side but only nine players started the game. They had originally planned for three players to pretend to be injured and head to the bench, with a view to getting the game abandoned and handing Galatasaray a 3-0 victory, but the whole team ended up leaving the pitch in the second minute, after Mauro Icardi scored an opening goal with 48 seconds on the clock. Galatasaray were handed the title and then played a friendly match against their own reserve team so that fans who attended the final at least got their money's worth.

This is the second time the Turkish giants have grabbed the headlines in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Fenerbahce members voted on whether the club would follow through with a threat to withdraw from Turkey's Super Lig. They had previously said they would consider pulling out after their players were attacked by Trabzonspor fans in March, but members recently voted against the proposal.

Club chairman Ali Koc said: "In all our meetings, the least preferred option was to withdraw from the league. The reason why this option is not wanted is that people think we would have to deal in the lower league with the same things we deal with here. We are taking this option off the table until the general assembly at the end of the season."

After the fallout from a bizarre match against Galatasaray dies down, Ismail Kartal's side will take on Olympiacos, before travelling to Fatih Karagumruk on Sunday in the league.