A four-goal rout turns into a trial: Trabzonspor president under investigation after Galatasaray humiliation
Disciplinary storm
Trabzonspor's fans had barely finished celebrating their historic and resounding 4-0 victory over their rivals Galatasaray at their Papara Park stronghold before a new storm erupted off the pitch, this time led by the Turkish Football Federation.
According to the Turkish website "61 saat", the federation's legal adviser has announced a wide-ranging package of referrals to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK), all stemming from the fallout of the big clash.
Trabzonspor's chief wanted for investigation
Top of the list sits Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan. The board opted to refer him to the disciplinary committee without any precautionary measure, invoking Article 38 of the football disciplinary regulations.
His referral follows "statements intended to damage the reputation of football" that he made to the media after the final whistle. Those comments clearly did not escape the federation's attention.
Galatasaray pay the price: three in the dock
Galatasaray, thrashed 4-0 on the night, escaped nothing. The referrals swept up three members of the club, plus the club itself as an institution, under Article 53 of the regulations, over "obscene and offensive chants" from their supporters during the match.
Buruk and Ogutuchoku: precautionary measures
The federation's decisions reached the dugout and the pitch too. Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk was referred to the disciplinary committee as a precautionary measure with effect from 20 September 2026, on a charge of "unsporting conduct" in the same game.
Team-mate Leslie Chimwania Ogutuchoku faces the same committee, again as a precautionary measure from the same date, this time on a charge of "unlawful conduct".
So a historic 4-0 night in Trabzon has turned from a footballing celebration into a hot file on the disciplinary table. The threatened sanctions could shake the foundations of Turkish football in the coming days.
