Two Players Referred to PFDK After Derby: 5 to 10-Match Bans Loom

Following the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby played in Week 9 of the Süper Lig, the referrals to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) of the Turkish Football Federation have been announced. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) sent both clubs to the disciplinary board over incidents in the high-profile clash, and the articles under which the players were referred drew particular attention.

Galatasaray's Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Fenerbahçe's Archie Brown were referred to the PFDK with an interim measure, meaning they cannot play until a ruling is made, over their actions after the derby, under Article 44 of the TFF Football Disciplinary Instruction, titled "assault". On the basis of this referral, both players now face bans of 5 to 10 matches.

Article 44 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction stipulates a ban of 5 to 10 matches for players who commit an act of assault. The same article provides for a deprivation of rights of 75 to 180 days along with a fine for club executives who commit such an act, and for officials and other staff, a ban from entering the dressing room and the substitutes' bench or a deprivation of rights.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray official Serhat Doğan was also referred to the board with an interim measure on the grounds of assault and conduct contrary to the regulations. The Yellow-Reds were referred under the articles on offensive and abusive chanting, pitch incidents and conduct contrary to the regulations, while Fenerbahçe were also sent to the disciplinary board on the grounds of pitch incidents, offensive and abusive chanting, unsporting conduct as a team and breach of the regulations. As for the Yellow-Navy club's official Ahmet Aytar, a referral without an interim measure was issued for conduct contrary to the regulations.