Tensions are escalating ahead of the Istanbul derby as Fenerbahçe S.K. has formally requested the disqualification of Victor Osimhen, citing safety concerns and the Laws of the Game set by the International Football Association Board.
The petition, submitted to the Turkish Football Federation, centers on the protective arm brace worn by the Galatasaray striker following a recent injury. Fenerbahçe argues that the equipment could pose a risk to opposing players and is reportedly preparing a detailed submission assessing whether the materials comply with IFAB regulations.
The controversy comes just days before the high-stakes clash between Galatasaray S.K. and Fenerbahçe, a fixture that could prove decisive in the Turkish Süper Lig title race. Galatasaray currently leads the standings, and a victory in the derby would all but seal the championship, while a win for Fenerbahçe would keep the title race alive heading into the final weeks of the season.
Osimhen, who sustained a fractured arm during a UEFA Champions League match earlier in the season, has been playing with a specially designed protective brace approved after consultations with European football authorities. However, Fenerbahçe maintains that the device raises safety questions under IFAB provisions governing player equipment.
The dispute has added another layer of intrigue to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with off-field tensions now matching the stakes on the pitch. Galatasaray, for their part, have pushed back against the growing controversy, insisting that all medical and regulatory procedures were followed in clearing Osimhen to play.
