The Turkish FA is flying in a foreign referee for the match between Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce Monday evening at 6pm.
The Federation wants to minimise the chance of refereeing controversy overshadowing the huge clash between the two rials in the Super Lig.
The choice fell on Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic who will take charge of the Istanbul derby on Monday. Even in normal circumstances, it is one of the biggest games in world football, but with this one a potentially decisive moment in the Super Lig title race, the stakes are higher than ever.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has repeatedly slated the officiating in Turkish football since he arrived in the country last summer. So, to look abroad for a referee is a step that makes sense, impossible to accuse Vincic, a foreigner of any bias one way or the other.
Vincic has been a FIFA-affiliated referee for the past 15 years and was chosen by UEFA to take charge of last season’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Galatasaray have a six-point lead at the top of the table, which would become nine if they win, or could be reduced to just three if Fenerbahce do. The potential for swing either way is huge and, come full-time on Monday night, it could be game over, or game on.
Reported by Goal.
