‘We Will Not Show Up’ – Besiktas Flat Out Refuse To Play Remaining 33 Minutes Of Abandoned Turkish Cup Tie Against Fenerbahce

Chris Wright

27th, April 2018

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Besiktas are adamant that they will not play the remaining 33 minutes of their Turkish Cup semi-final against Fenerbahce after the original fixture was abandoned last week.

The predictably stormy second leg tie was scuttled in the 58th minute when Besiktas coach Senol Gunes was struck by a missile hurled from the crowd at Fener’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Gunes subsequently had to be taken to hospital to have stitches in his head.

Since then, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have demanded that the remaining 33 minutes of the match (which stood/stands at 2-2 on aggregate) behind closed doors on 3rd May.

However, Besiktas are quite literally unwilling to play ball and have issued an official statement to confirm as much:

Even though millions saw clearly that Besiktas were the only victimised side, the TFF ruled that our [Cup game] against Fenerbahce should continue from where it was abandoned.

As a club who adhere to fair-play at all times, Besiktas  have decided not to take part in the said Cup game.

We believe that this will be the most dignified stand for the great Besiktas supporters to have their voice heard.

We have been on the field for 115 years, we have won, had draws or lost on the field.

In order not to accept being losers, we will not show up.

To one and all at the TFF, the very best of luck in sorting this one out!