No Show: Besiktas Go Through With Refusal To Turn Up For Turkish Cup Semi-Final Replay Against Fenerbahce (Photos)

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Just as they vowed, Besiktas stuck to their guns and failed to show up for the replay of their abandoned Turkish Cup semi-final against Fenerbahce.

The original tie, played on 19th April, was abandoned with just 58 minutes played when Besiktas coach Senol Gunes was struck by a missile hurled from the crowd at Fener’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, leaving him requiring stitches.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) then demanded that the two sides reconvene to play the remaining 33 minutes of the match (which stood at 2-2 on aggregate) behind closed doors on 3rd May, though Besiktas wasted little time in informing them where to stick it.

Sure enough, the Eagles didn’t turn up on Thursday night, leaving their opponents to conduct a light training session in their empty, cavernous stadium…

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Embed from Getty Images

Fener have since been declared default winners of the semi-final and will therefore advance to play Akhisarspor in the final.

As punishment for their insubordination, Besiktas have been banned from playing in the Cup next season and must also pay back the 4million Turkish lira (approx. £690,000) they have already earned in prize money from the competition this year.

Speaking to reporters on the night, Fenerbahce coach Aykut Kocaman voiced his regret over the circumstances (quote via Reuters):

Besiktas made a difficult decision. I would have preferred to lose instead of winning this way.

What a mess.

Posted in International football

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1 Comment

  1. Fnarf says:

    The message here, of course, is “throw a missile, get rewarded”.

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